CN113877762A - Processing apparatus and method for processing a workpiece - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a processing device and a method for processing workpieces, in which an optimized workpiece processing can be achieved, wherein a processing station comprises a processing chamber which can be flooded for workpiece processing. The processing apparatus includes: a plurality of treatment stations for treating workpieces, in particular for cleaning and/or coating vehicle bodies, wherein each treatment station comprises at least one treatment container which encloses a treatment chamber for receiving the workpiece, wherein each treatment station itself or a plurality of treatment stations together comprises a fluid tank for receiving a fluid, and wherein the treatment stations comprise a fluid guide by means of which a) the fluid can be guided from the fluid tank into the respective treatment container in order to submerge the treatment chamber or chambers; and/or b) to enable fluid to be conducted from the respective process container to the fluid tank in order to empty the process chamber.

Description

Processing apparatus and method for processing a workpiece

Technical Field

The invention relates to the field of workpiece treatment, in particular to cleaning and coating workpieces, such as vehicle bodies or vehicle parts.

Background

For example, the workpiece can be immersed in a bath for treatment. For example, the workpiece is lowered into the immersion bath and removed from the immersion bath after the treatment step. In this case, provision can be made for the workpiece to be rotated at points which are difficult to access for optimized processing of the workpiece.

In this type of immersion bath treatment installation, it may be disadvantageous that workpieces of different sizes and/or shapes are to be treated and/or different treatment times are to be set for different workpieces.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device and a method which enable an optimized workpiece treatment using cost-effective components.

This object is achieved by the following apparatus and method.

The device is in particular a processing station or a processing plant for processing workpieces.

Preferably, the processing station comprises a processing container enclosing a processing chamber for receiving the workpiece.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the treatment station comprises a plurality of such treatment containers.

It is preferably provided that the treatment chamber can be flooded with fluid.

In particular, the fluid is a treatment fluid, for example a cleaning fluid, in particular for degreasing the workpiece. It can furthermore be provided that the fluid is a coating fluid, for example for phosphating or painting workpieces.

It can be provided that the processing container comprises at least one passage opening for carrying workpieces into the processing chamber and/or for carrying workpieces out of the processing chamber.

Preferably, the treatment vessel comprises a closing device for selectively closing and releasing the at least one passage opening.

It can be provided that the processing container comprises a single passage opening for introducing workpieces into the processing chamber and for removing workpieces from the processing chamber.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the treatment container comprises a passage opening for introducing workpieces into the treatment chamber and a further passage opening for removing workpieces from the treatment chamber, wherein the passage openings are arranged in particular at mutually opposite sides or ends or end walls of the treatment container.

Advantageously, the at least one passage opening can be arranged and/or formed in one or more side walls of the treatment container, in particular in one or more end walls of the treatment container.

The treatment container is in particular of substantially square design and preferably comprises, for example, a closed top wall, a bottom wall, two or three closed side walls and two or one other side wall provided with at least one passage opening, wherein preferably the at least one passage opening can be completely closed by means of a closing device.

Advantageously, the closing means are adapted to close the at least one passage opening in a fluid-tight manner.

In particular, the closing device comprises a closing element for this purpose, which is designed, for example, to be self-locking and/or is equipped with a self-locking and/or a self-locking seal.

In addition, it can be provided that at least one curved lever, in particular for pressing the closing element against the sealing device, is used or can be used to ensure the sealing effect of the closing device.

It can be advantageous if the closing device comprises a lifting device for lifting or lowering the closing element of the closing device, in particular for lifting the closing element in order to bring it into the open position and/or for lowering the closing element in order to bring it into the closed position.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the closing element can be lowered by means of the lifting device in order to bring the closing element into the open position and/or that the closing element can be lowered by means of the lifting device in order to bring the closing element into the closed position.

Such a closing element can be, for example, a door, in particular a sluice.

The closing element can be designed, for example, in one piece and can be moved as a whole. Alternatively, it can be provided that the closing element is designed in multiple parts, wherein the parts of the closing element can preferably be moved independently of one another or can be moved differently from one another in order to close or release the passage opening.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the closing device comprises a push-pull device for pushing the closing element, for example laterally, in order to optionally bring the closing element into the open position or the closed position.

It can furthermore be provided that the closing device comprises a pivoting device for pivoting a closing element of the closing device, in particular wherein the closing element is pivotable about an at least approximately horizontal pivot axis. Alternatively, it can be provided that the closing element is pivotable about an at least approximately vertical pivot axis.

Advantageously, the one or more closing elements, in particular the at least one tilting element, may comprise or form one or more transport elements of the transport device, in particular one or more guide elements of a guide device of the transport device. In particular, it can be provided that one or more roller elements of the transport device, which is designed as a roller conveyor, are arranged at one or more closing elements.

It may be advantageous if one or more closing elements of the closing device form part of the transport device or carry or receive part of the transport device.

Preferably, the closing device comprises a closing drive for automatically moving a closing element of the closing device, in particular in order to automatically bring the closing element into the open position and/or the closed position.

The closing drive can act, for example, electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically on the closing element in order to bring the closing element optionally into the open position or the closed position. For example, one or more electric motors and/or spindle drives and/or push chains and/or capstans for moving the closing element can be provided.

Furthermore, it can be provided that, for example, gravity is used to move the closing elements by means of a mechanical coupling of the two closing elements, wherein the closing elements are lowered and thereby the other closing elements are raised or at least the raising of the other closing elements is simplified.

Advantageously, the treatment station may comprise a fluid tank for receiving a fluid, in particular a treatment fluid.

Preferably, the fluid can be drawn from the fluid tank into the treatment chamber by means of a fluid guide in order to submerge the treatment chamber.

Preferably, the fluid can be returned from the treatment chamber to the fluid tank by means of a fluid guide for emptying the treatment chamber.

For flooding and emptying, a direct connection can be provided between the process chamber and the fluid tank. Alternatively, one or more intermediate stations or other devices to be flowed through can be provided.

Preferably, the processing station comprises a transport device for transporting the workpiece, in particular for bringing the workpiece into the processing chamber and/or for taking the workpiece out of the processing chamber and/or for transporting the workpiece from the processing station to a next processing station.

Advantageously, the transport device may comprise one or more roller conveyors, lifting conveyors, push-pull conveyors and/or rack handlers for transporting and/or moving the workpieces, in particular for bringing the workpieces into the processing chamber and/or for taking the workpieces out of the processing chamber and/or for transporting the workpieces from the processing station to the next processing station.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the transport device comprises one or more unmanned transport systems for transporting and/or moving the workpieces, in particular for carrying the workpieces into the processing chamber and/or for carrying the workpieces out of the processing chamber and/or for transporting the workpieces from the processing station to the next processing station.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the transport device comprises a plurality of transport device sections having transport technologies that differ from one another with regard to the receiving and guiding of the drive device and/or the workpieces, wherein the workpieces can preferably be transported by means of a first transport device section into the region of the processing station upstream of the processing container, and wherein the workpieces can be brought into the processing chamber of the processing station by means of a second transport device section that differs therefrom.

For example, it can be provided that one or more roller conveyors are provided outside the treatment chamber for conveying the workpieces, and that the workpieces can be pushed into the treatment chamber and/or pushed out of or pulled out of the treatment chamber by means of one or more push-pull conveyors.

Advantageously, one or more workpieces can be arranged on the workpiece support. In particular, the workpiece carrier is a slide plate which is preferably used to receive a workpiece designed as a vehicle body.

In this case, the workpieces are preferably transported and/or moved together with the workpiece carrier, so that the expression "transport of workpieces" or "movement of workpieces" is also understood to mean the transport or movement of at least one workpiece carrier together with at least one workpiece arranged there.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the workpiece can be arranged, in particular fixed, on the workpiece carrier across the entire processing unit of the processing device.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the workpieces are transported through the entire processing unit of the processing device without workpiece supports. In particular, the workpiece can be transferred in the treatment chamber to a stationary workpiece receiver provided for this purpose or can be placed on the workpiece receiver and/or can be fixed to the workpiece receiver.

Preferably, the workpiece can be moved along a horizontal plane by means of a transport device, in particular the workpiece can be brought into the process chamber and/or the workpiece can be taken out of the process chamber.

In particular, it can be provided that the workpiece can be moved by means of the transport device in a laminar manner (ebenerdig), in particular that the workpiece can be introduced into the process chamber and/or that the workpiece can be removed from the process chamber.

It may be advantageous if the transport device comprises one or more drive units for moving the workpieces, wherein the drive units, in particular all drive units, of the transport device are preferably arranged outside the process chamber at least during the execution of the process step (workpiece treatment).

The transport device may advantageously comprise a guide device for receiving the workpieces in a load-bearing manner, wherein the guide device extends from outside the treatment chamber, in particular through the at least one passage opening, into the treatment chamber.

Preferably, the guide device is arranged at least partially within the process chamber even during the execution of the process step (workpiece treatment).

Furthermore, it can be provided that the transport device comprises a guide device for receiving the workpieces in a load-bearing manner, wherein the guide device comprises at least one guide path section arranged outside the treatment chamber and at least one guide path section arranged inside the treatment chamber, wherein the workpieces can be transferred through the passage opening from the guide path section arranged outside the treatment chamber to the guide path section arranged inside the treatment chamber, in particular by driving the workpieces by means of one or more drive units.

The drive unit may be, for example, a push-pull device or a clamping device or a roller device.

Preferably, the workpiece can be taken out (removed) of the processing chamber after the processing step has been performed by means of the same drive unit or a different drive unit.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the transport device can comprise one or more drive units, which act on the guide path section of the transport device from outside the treatment chamber. For example, the drive unit may be or comprise an electric motor.

Preferably, the one or more drive units are purely mechanically coupled with the guide track section. In particular, it can be provided that the coupling device establishes a mechanical connection between one or more drive units on the one hand and the guide path section of the transport device on the other hand. In this case, in particular, the workpiece guided on the guide path section within the process chamber can be driven, preferably linearly, by means of one or more drive units arranged outside the process chamber.

Advantageously, the one or more drive units can be arranged above the maximum filling level or above the maximum filling level of the process chamber and/or at the outer side of the side wall of the process container surrounding the process chamber.

Preferably, the one or more drive units are arranged at an end region of the processing container facing away from the passage opening of the processing container and/or in a region of the side wall of the processing container close to the top.

Preferably, the coupling device is guided through the side wall, preferably at the level of the drive unit or units. Preferably, the feed-through opening for the introduction of the coupling device is arranged and/or formed above a maximum filling level of the treatment chamber. Preferably, the coupling element of the coupling device guided through the side wall is a rotary shaft or a coupling shaft.

Preferably, the rotary shaft or the coupling shaft is connected to further rotary shafts or coupling shafts by means of a pulling element, in particular by means of a belt and/or a chain, for example a twin-roll chain, which is arranged in the region of the guide path section and ultimately acts directly or indirectly on the workpiece in order to move it.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided in an embodiment of the invention that the processing station comprises one or more sensor devices, which enable a state detection and/or a position detection within the processing chamber from outside the processing chamber. For example, the correct positioning of the workpiece within the process chamber can be ascertained or monitored by means of the sensor device.

Preferably, the one or more sensor devices each comprise one or more sensor elements arranged outside the treatment chamber, which sensor elements are preferably purely mechanically coupled with one or more transmitter elements inside the treatment chamber. In particular, it can be provided that the coupling device establishes a mechanical connection between one or more sensor elements on one side and one or more transmitter elements on the other side. In this case, in particular, workpieces arranged within the process chamber can be probed, preferably their position ascertained or monitored, by means of one or more sensor elements arranged outside the process chamber.

Advantageously, the one or more sensor elements can be arranged above the maximum filling level or above the maximum filling level of the process chamber and/or at the outer side of a side wall of a process container surrounding the process chamber.

Preferably, the one or more sensor elements are arranged in a region of the side wall of the processing container near the top.

Preferably, the coupling device is guided through the side wall, preferably at the level of the one or more sensor elements. In this case, the feed-through opening for the introduction of the coupling device is preferably arranged and/or formed above a maximum filling level of the treatment chamber. Preferably, the coupling element of the coupling device guided through the side wall is a rotary shaft or a coupling shaft.

Preferably, the rotary shaft or the coupling shaft is connected to further rotary shafts or coupling shafts by means of tension elements or compression elements, in particular by means of coupling rods, which are arranged, for example, in the region of the floor and/or in the region of the guide path section and are connected to the transmitter element. Preferably, a rotation of the further rotary shaft or coupling shaft, for example, can be brought about by actuating the transmitter element, for example by rotating the transmitter element, thus for example causing a vertical displacement of the coupling rod and thus a rotation of the (upper) rotary shaft or coupling shaft, wherein the (upper) rotary shaft or coupling shaft emerging from the treatment chamber ultimately carries out or causes a movement which can be detected by means of the at least one sensor element. Thus, by purely mechanical actuation of the coupling device, a change in orientation or other movement of the transmitter element can be detected by means of one or more sensor elements.

Advantageously, all bearing blocks which come into contact with the fluid, in particular the process fluid, during operation of the process station can be designed as or comprise only non-lubricated and/or non-graphite components. In particular, it is preferred that all sliding bearings and/or rolling bearings are designed to be non-lubricated and/or non-graphite.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the bearing support is formed as or comprises a bronze-sintered bush and/or a plastic element.

Preferably, all components which come into contact with the fluid, in particular the treatment fluid, during operation of the treatment station are designed to be in fluid-continuous dwell (verbeib) and/or in fluid contact, for example by selecting stainless steel, in particular V4A, as material.

Preferably, no electrical components are arranged within the process chamber, in particular within the interior of the process container.

The transport device for transporting the workpieces may advantageously be designed to be open and/or a covering element for at least partially covering a component of the transport device may be dispensed with at least within the treatment chamber. This allows a simple flow through and/or a thorough flushing of the transport device. Furthermore, the accessibility is preferably optimized thereby.

Preferably, the transport device comprises a locking device for locking the workpiece in a processing position within the processing chamber.

In particular, a movement of the workpiece counter to the direction of gravity can be prevented by means of the locking device.

Preferably, by applying such a locking device, it can be avoided that the workpiece floats or otherwise moves or lifts during flooding of the process chamber.

The locking device may comprise, for example, one or more locking elements or tilting elements or retaining elements which act directly on the one or more workpieces or also on one or more workpiece supports for receiving the one or more workpieces.

Preferably, the one or more workpieces can be fastened to the one or more workpiece supports, in particular outside the process chamber and/or before being introduced into the process chamber, in such a way that displacement and/or lifting can be prevented. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that one or more workpieces are positioned within the process chamber and/or together with one or more workpiece supports, in particular are fixed relative to each other and/or relative to the process chamber.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the locking is effected in that, in particular when the at least one workpiece and, if appropriate, the workpiece carrier are brought into the process chamber, the at least one workpiece or the workpiece carrier for receiving the at least one workpiece is transported into a locking receptacle which is at least partially configured complementary thereto.

It may furthermore be advantageous if the transport device comprises a displacement device for turning and/or rotating the workpiece, in particular for a temporary position change relative to an at least approximately horizontal standard position.

In particular, a horizontal standard position is a standard orientation of a workpiece during transport and/or handling of the workpiece. Preferably, the tilting operation and/or the rotating operation can be performed by means of a displacement device, whereby in particular an efficient fluid flow through (Ablauf) the workpiece can be achieved.

In particular, the treatment station can be a component of a treatment plant, for example a painting plant.

In particular, the method for processing a workpiece can be carried out with the aid of a processing station. Preferably, the method comprises the following steps:

the workpieces are brought into the process chamber of the process container through the passage opening of the process container;

closing the passage opening of the treatment container by means of a closing device;

the processing chamber is flooded with fluid in order to perform the processing of the workpiece.

Preferably, the fluid is removed, in particular drained, from the process chamber after the workpiece treatment (process step) has been carried out.

Furthermore, the workpiece is preferably removed from the process chamber through the passage opening or other passage openings.

In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the treatment station comprises one or more insert elements arranged or arrangeable in the treatment chamber for assisting the flooding process.

In particular, such a built-in element is a different component from the transport device for transporting workpieces.

Preferably, the built-in element has no other technical effect or is not used for other purposes than to assist the flooding process. Alternatively, however, it can also be provided that one or more insert elements are provided for receiving functional components of the processing station, for example devices for dispensing fluids in the processing chamber, measuring or other sensor means, etc.

Preferably, the immersion process can be assisted in terms of the time course for processing the workpiece (zeitlicher Ablauf) and/or the optimization of the processing steps by means of the built-in element.

Advantageously, the flow can be generated and/or optimized within the process chamber, for example by means of one or more built-in elements and/or by means of one or more supply lines and/or by means of one or more discharge lines and/or by means of one or more pump devices.

Advantageously, one or more nozzles for supplying and/or circulating a fluid are arranged in the process chamber, wherein the fluid is directed in particular at the following regions of the workpiece or workpieces: this area requires additional processing and/or gas concentrations, such as bubbles, may form in this area upon flooding. Preferably, the fluid is applied by means of one or more nozzles, such that gas accumulations, e.g. bubbles, are removed.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the at least one workpiece to be treated can be subjected to a lifting movement (Hubbewegung) and/or a lowering movement and/or a tilting movement and/or a rotating movement by means of the transport device and/or by means of a movement assembly provided additionally or alternatively to the transport device, in particular in order to remove gas accumulations, for example gas bubbles.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the one or more insert elements are designed as displacement elements, by means of which in particular free spaces within the treatment chamber can be filled, which remain free during the flooding process without the respective insert element and can therefore be filled with fluid.

In particular, therefore, the fluid volume required for carrying out the flooding process can be reduced, in particular by at least about 5%, preferably at least about 10%, for example at least about 20%, of the total fluid volume required for carrying out the flooding process, by means of one or more built-in elements configured as displacement elements. Furthermore, the total duration for carrying out the flooding procedure can be reduced.

Advantageously, the one or more insert elements can be adapted or can be adapted in their position and/or function and/or shape to the workpiece to be treated.

For example, it can be provided that one or more displacement elements are adapted or can be adapted at least partially or in regions to the shape of the workpiece to be treated. In particular, it can be provided that the one or more displacement elements are at least partially and/or at least substantially shaped complementarily to the workpiece, so that preferably the free space within the process chamber can be minimized.

For example, it can be provided that one or more displacement elements are designed in a manner matched to a side wall and/or floor region and/or front hood region and/or rear hood region of a workpiece designed as a vehicle body.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the one or more insert elements are arranged and/or movable, in particular in a manner not contacting the workpiece, so as to protrude into the interior of the workpiece or to be arranged at least partially in the workpiece during the treatment of the workpiece. For example, in the case of workpieces which are designed as vehicle bodies for transport vehicles or (small) buses or the like, one or more built-in elements can be introduced through the tailgate into the interior of the respective workpiece in order to reduce the free interior volume and thus the fluid volume required for the flooding process.

It can be provided that the one or more displacement elements have hollow bodies which can preferably be filled independently of the flooding process and/or can remain filled and/or can be emptied.

In particular, the one or more displacement elements are designed as hollow bodies and have one or more closable filling openings and/or one or more discharge openings.

In particular, a displacement element of this type can be designed to be very light and can therefore be arranged in the treatment chamber in a simple manner. Preferably, undesired floating or other movements of the displacement element during the flooding process are prevented by suitably securing the displacement element within the treatment container and/or by weighting, e.g. filling, the hollow body. For filling one or more displacement elements, for example, a different fluid than the fluid used for performing the workpiece treatment can be used, but the same fluid can also be used. Furthermore, water can be used as a filling fluid for one or more displacement elements.

It may be advantageous if the inner and outer geometries of the one or more displacement elements differ from each other, so that, for example, a cavity optimized for filling and emptying is formed within the one or more displacement elements.

In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the treatment container comprises one or more receptacles for holding one or more insert elements, in particular displacement elements.

Preferably, one or more built-in elements, for example displacement elements, in particular displacement elements having different shapes and/or sizes, have a fixing section which is configured in a complementary manner to the receptacle, so that the displacement element can preferably be fixed and/or replaced simply.

It can be provided that the one or more displacement elements are rigid.

Preferably, one or more insert elements, in particular displacement elements, are or can be fixed in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting and/or releasable manner at and/or in the treatment container.

Advantageously, one or more displacement elements can be designed flexibly and/or variably in shape and/or variably in size, for example pneumatically.

In this way, one or more displacement elements can be adapted, in particular, to different workpiece types in order to optimize the respective processing step and/or the flooding process.

Preferably, the treatment station comprises a changing device for changing the shape and/or size of one or more displacement elements, in particular for reducing the free space within the treatment chamber to be flooded for the treatment process.

The changing device can be, for example, a pump device, by means of which the filling fluid can be supplied to a cavity within one or more displacement elements for optimizing the flooding process, wherein in particular the control and/or regulation is provided such that the amount of filling fluid supplied is selected, in particular automatically, as a function of the respective workpiece to be treated by means of a suitably configured and configured control device.

It can be provided that the one or more displacement elements fill one or more free spaces in the region of the transport device of the processing station.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the one or more displacement elements fill up free space above the workpiece designed as a vehicle body, in particular above a vehicle front part and/or a vehicle rear part of the vehicle body.

In a further additional or alternative embodiment, it can be provided that the one or more insert elements are configured as support elements for supporting the workpiece to be treated during the immersion process.

The one or more support elements therefore preferably bear against the workpiece during the flooding process and preferably prevent flattening or buckling or other deformation of the respective workpiece. Preferably, the one or more support elements are movable and/or shape-changeable and/or size-changeable for this purpose.

In particular, one or more built-in elements configured as displacement elements can simultaneously serve as support elements.

Preferably, the one or more support elements are removed from the workpiece in order to perform a processing step and/or after flooding the processing chamber is completed, in particular in order to ensure complete wetting of the workpiece with fluid, in particular processing fluid. In particular, one or more support elements can be removed from the workpiece for this purpose. Alternatively or additionally, the removal can be achieved by changing the shape and/or size of the support element.

Advantageously, one or more of the support elements each have a support section which, for supporting the workpiece, bears directly against the workpiece.

In particular, the support section is provided with a material that avoids damage to the workpiece and/or is configured to be elastically yielding. For example a fabric surface which may be provided with support sections.

In a further development of the invention, it can be provided that the one or more insert elements are designed as temperature control elements for controlling the temperature of the treatment container and/or of the fluid.

In particular, one or more insert elements are filled or can be filled, in particular can flow through, with a heating or cooling medium for this purpose.

It can be advantageous if one or more built-in elements configured as temperature control elements have one or more ribs or other surface-increasing portions in order to optimize the heat transfer.

Advantageously, one or more insert elements designed as temperature control elements can be flooded with fluid when the treatment chamber is flooded

. Thereby, preferably, the heat transfer can also be optimized.

In particular, in order to adapt the treatment stations in a variable manner to workpieces of different sizes, it can be provided that the one or more insert elements are arranged or can be arranged temporarily in the treatment chamber for one or more treatment processes and/or flooding processes or permanently.

In particular, it can be provided that the processing station comprises a set of insert elements of different sizes, wherein individual insert elements, in particular insert elements adapted to a specific workpiece type, are brought into the processing chamber and fixed therein as required. In this case, the insert element is preferably replaced with an insert element of a different size or a different function when changing the workpiece type.

It can be provided that the one or more insert elements are immovably fixed in the process chamber during the flooding process, during the process and/or during the evacuation of the process chamber.

Alternatively, it can be provided that one or more insert elements in the treatment chamber are movable, for example can be brought into the free space of the treatment chamber to be flooded during the flooding process and/or can be removed from the free space to be flooded, in particular automatically, after the flooding process and/or the treatment process (treatment step) has been carried out.

It can be provided that one or more insert elements are or can be arranged on a closing element for closing the passage opening of the treatment container.

In particular, one or more built-in elements can be moved by moving the closing element itself, in particular can be brought into a position in which the built-in element assists the flooding process.

Preferably, the one or more built-in elements can be brought into the pressing position or the supporting position by means of the closing element.

Advantageously, one or more built-in elements can be movable, for example linearly, and/or pivotable together with the closing element.

By means of the treatment station, the workpiece can be treated, in particular the vehicle body can be cleaned and/or coated.

For this purpose, the workpieces are introduced into the process chamber of the process container. Next, the treatment chamber is flooded with fluid for performing the workpiece treatment, wherein the flooding is preferably assisted by means of one or more built-in elements arranged or arrangeable in the treatment chamber.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the treatment station comprises a fluid tank for receiving a fluid. Furthermore, the treatment station preferably comprises a fluid guide, by means of which fluid can be guided from the fluid tank into the treatment container in order to flood the treatment chamber and/or fluid can be guided from the treatment container into the fluid tank in order to empty the treatment chamber.

Preferably, the fluid line comprises one or more fluid lines, which are preferably provided for supplying fluid from the fluid tank to the treatment container, and further fluid lines, in particular separate fluid lines, which are provided for supplying fluid from the treatment container to the fluid tank.

Advantageously, the fluid tank can be arranged above the treatment container with respect to the direction of gravity.

Thereby, in particular, gravity may be used for supplying the fluid to the treatment vessel, preferably wherein a separate pump device may be dispensable.

Conversely, the pump device may advantageously be used to pump fluid from the treatment chamber back into the fluid tank.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the treatment container is arranged above the fluid tank with respect to the direction of gravity. In this case, the fluid can thus be guided from the treatment container into the fluid tank without the use of a pump device, while at the same time a pump device is preferably provided for guiding the fluid from the fluid tank into the treatment container.

It can be provided that the fluid guide comprises a fluid line configured as a feed line, by means of which fluid can be supplied to the process chamber, wherein the feed line opens into the process container, preferably in the region of the floor of the process container. In particular, this can reduce or completely avoid undesired foaming when supplying the fluid into the treatment container.

In particular, the floor area of the treatment container is the lower third, preferably the lower fifth, of the treatment chamber with respect to the total height of the treatment chamber and/or with respect to the maximum filling height.

Preferably, the treatment container comprises an inflow region which is arranged in particular below the passage opening of the treatment container. Preferably, the inflow region is also filled with fluid in the emptied state of the treatment container provided for the replacement of workpieces.

Preferably, the minimum filling height between the two flooding processes and/or between the treatment of the two workpieces is or can be selected such that the transport device and/or the further functional components or tank internals within the treatment chamber always remain below the filling level. Drying of the dirt can thereby be avoided, in particular when using viscous or otherwise adhering treatment fluids.

Furthermore, as an alternative or in addition to "avoiding contamination by viscous or easily coagulating and drying media", provision can be made for the wetting or cleaning (abreiniging) to be maintained, in particular after the flooding process, in particular after the emptying of the treatment container, in the treatment chamber, at the insert elements and other components in the treatment chamber, in particular at the tank inserts, such as nozzle holders, anodes and transport devices, and at the lines required for filling and emptying of the treatment station. For this purpose, for cleaning, liquids and/or filtrates can be used, which achieve the cleaning effect by suitable measures, for example, using rigidly mounted nozzle holders or variably displaceable tank cleaning nozzles. For components which are difficult to reach, such as seals between the treatment vessel and the closure, a self-cleaning method, such as a submersible seal with a preferably defined outlet, can optionally also be used.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the processing container and the components arranged therein are protected against drying by means of a gas-tight barrier (Abschlie β en). Furthermore, the air humidity in the cells thus isolated can be monitored and re-humidified as required. Alternatively, this can also be provided in a non-hermetically sealed unit.

Furthermore, the adhesion can optionally also be overcome by permanent wetting with the medium used, in particular the treatment fluid. In particular, this can be taken into account in the case of transport technology inserts, but also in the lines for filling and emptying.

Preferably, the supply line opens into the inflow region, in particular below the fluid line of the inflow region, in order to be able to achieve an optimized supply of fluid into the treatment chamber.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the inflow region is arranged and/or formed in one or more inflow containers, in particular displacement elements, in the treatment chamber, wherein the supply line opens in particular into the inflow containers. In particular, the inflow container comprises, for example at its upper side, an outflow opening through which the fluid can flow into the treatment chamber in order to flood the treatment chamber.

In order to avoid deposits, it can be provided that the fluid in the inflow region is permanently or regularly circulated and/or recovered, in particular purified.

Advantageously, the fluid guide may comprise a plurality of supply lines, wherein one or more of the supply lines open into the treatment container in the region of the floor of the treatment container and/or wherein one or more supply lines terminate in or at one or more nozzles or other supply openings, by means of which the fluid can be directed and/or applied to the workpiece, for example as a jet or stream.

Preferably, the emptying state of the processing container is a state of the processing container in which one or more passage openings can be opened without causing or fearing that fluid escapes through the passage openings. In particular, the emptying state therefore does not have to be a state of the processing container in which all remaining fluid has been removed from the processing container.

The medium, in particular a gas, for example air, which is displaced out of the process chamber when the process chamber is flooded, can be discharged or recovered and/or transported to the environment, for example to an exhaust gas cleaning system and/or to a dryer for drying workpieces.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the displaced medium is introduced into the fluid tank.

Especially when foam may or may not be formed during the flooding or filling process based on the type of supply and/or based on the selected fluid, it may be advantageous if the processing station comprises compensation means for minimizing or avoiding foam formation. In particular, the compensating device comprises a nozzle device, for example a nozzle holder, for injecting a liquid, in particular a filtrate. In particular, the nozzle arrangement is arranged in a top region of the process chamber. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the compensation device comprises a vacuum device for drawing air out of the process chamber. Furthermore, alternatively or additionally to this, a chemical medium, in particular a defoaming medium, can be supplied to the fluid.

If a medium which is susceptible to gas barrier and requires degassing is used as the fluid, a means for eliminating this medium can additionally be provided in the treatment vessel for this purpose. In addition to the evacuation, provision may alternatively or additionally be made for ultrasonic waves to be generated in the treatment vessel in a batch-type manner (Batchverfahren) and in a flow-type manner (Durchflussverfahren) for coalescence of the small bubbles, wherein, for example, the mechanisms required for this are integrated or can be integrated into additional or already existing circuits. Alternatively, chemical modifications of the formulation and/or the addition of additives to the fluid to be entrained can be provided.

Advantageously, the fluid guide may comprise a purification device for purifying the fluid.

Preferably, the purification device is arranged outside the treatment vessel and/or outside the fluid tank.

Preferably, the purification device is arranged in a return line for leading the fluid back into the fluid tank. Preferably, the fluid can thus be purified and/or recycled as it is conducted back and/or before the start of each cycle, in particular before a further flooding process in one or more treatment vessels.

Preferably, the treatment station comprises a control device by means of which the flooding process in the treatment chamber can be controlled and/or regulated, in particular by controlling and/or regulating a valve device for opening and closing a supply conduit for supplying fluid to the treatment chamber.

Preferably, one or more workpiece parameters are taken into account for controlling and/or regulating the flooding process, in particular the geometry and/or the size and/or the position of the respective workpiece within the process chamber.

In particular, one or more workpiece parameters are forwarded to the control device via the machine control and/or by CAD data, barcode recognition, RFID information or other workpiece-specific data items.

Preferably, the flooding process can be controlled by means of the control device in such a way that the filling speed and/or the rate of change of the filling height of the fluid in the treatment chamber is changed during flooding, in particular to match local differences in stability of the workpiece and/or to match the area of the water surface that changes in the direction of gravity.

For example, it can be provided that the flooding process can be controlled by means of the control device in such a way that the fluid level in the treatment chamber rises at least approximately steadily.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the flooding process can be controlled by means of the control device in such a way that the volume flow of the supplied fluid is increased when the fluid level flows over a more stable region of the workpiece and is reduced when the fluid level flows over a less stable region of the workpiece.

The processing station may comprise, for example, one or more measuring devices, by means of which, for example, the volume flow of the fluid flowing into the processing chamber and/or the filling level or filling level within the processing chamber and/or the filling level or filling level in the fluid tank can be ascertained.

Preferably, one or more measured values of one or more measuring devices are taken into account for controlling and/or regulating the flooding process.

Preferably, the maximum fill height (maximum fill level) is selected during flooding based on workpiece geometry and/or location. For example, in the case of a workpiece designed as a vehicle body, it can be provided that the treatment chamber is always filled with fluid to the extent that the filling level is just above (knapp) the roof of the vehicle body, for example at most about 10cm above the roof, preferably at most about 5cm, for example at most about 3 cm.

Furthermore, it can be provided that one or more leakage quantities are ascertained by means of one or more measuring devices, for example by monitoring the filling level or volume flow by means of one or more measuring devices. Preferably, the tightness of the one or more closing devices can be inferred therefrom.

In one embodiment, the treatment station can have a pairing pot, in particular which is arranged below the treatment chamber with respect to the direction of gravity and to which the fluid to be discharged from the treatment chamber can be supplied.

In this case, the fluid can preferably be conducted from the fluid tank into the treatment chamber and/or from the treatment chamber into the mating tank only under the influence of gravity.

Preferably, the fluid can be guided back from the mating tank into the fluid tank, for example by means of a pump device.

In particular, the fluid tank is therefore a storage tank (Vorlagetank) for providing fluid, in particular in a ready state of the fluid for carrying out a treatment process. For this purpose, in particular, the fluid can be purified or recovered on the transport path between the mating tank and the fluid tank, in particular by means of a purification device.

It may be advantageous for the treatment station to comprise two or more treatment chambers, in particular two or more treatment containers, each having a treatment chamber.

In this case, a common fluid tank for supplying fluid to two or more treatment chambers may be provided.

Alternatively, a plurality of fluid tanks for a plurality of fluids, in particular in the same treatment chamber, may be provided.

For example, it can be provided that, in particular for carrying out different process steps at one or more workpieces located in the process chamber, the process chambers of the process station can optionally be flooded, in particular alternately, with different fluids.

Furthermore, provision can be made for a plurality of mating tanks to be provided for a plurality of fluids.

Furthermore, more than two treatment chambers can be provided together with a mating tank.

The tank is in this description and in the appended claims especially a common receptacle for fluids, which may be a single container or a plurality of containers coupled to each other, for example.

It can be provided that the treatment station comprises a flushing device for flushing and/or cleaning the treatment chamber, wherein the flushing medium can be brought in, in particular sprayed into, and removed, in particular discharged, from the treatment chamber by means of the flushing device, in particular independently of the fluid, independently of the fluid tank and/or independently of the mating tank.

In particular, the flushing device can comprise a flushing nozzle which is arranged in the treatment chamber and/or aligned with the interior of the treatment chamber, in particular for flushing the walls and/or a transport device arranged in the treatment chamber.

For the treatment of workpieces, it can be provided in particular in the case of the described treatment station that the workpiece is brought into a treatment chamber of a treatment container and the treatment chamber is flooded with fluid for the treatment of the workpiece, wherein the fluid is conducted from the fluid tank into the treatment container for flooding the treatment chamber and/or the fluid is conducted from the treatment container into the fluid tank for emptying the treatment chamber.

In particular, the processing station can be used in a processing plant.

In particular, the processing apparatus is used for processing workpieces.

Preferably, the treatment plant comprises a plurality of treatment stations for treating workpieces, in particular for cleaning and/or coating vehicle bodies.

Preferably, each process station comprises at least one process container which encloses a process chamber for receiving a workpiece, wherein each process station itself or a plurality of process stations together comprise a fluid tank for receiving a fluid, and wherein the process station preferably comprises a fluid guide by means of which fluid can be guided from the fluid tank into the respective process container for flooding one or more process chambers and/or fluid can be guided from the respective process container into the fluid tank for emptying the process chamber.

Preferably, the fluid level within the process chamber is raised at least 10 times, preferably at least 50 times, for example at least 100 times, upon flooding one or more process chambers.

It is furthermore preferred that the liquid level is raised from the lowest level (Minimalstand) to at least about 50%, preferably at least about 70%, for example at least about 90%, of the total lumen height of the treatment chamber when submerging one or more treatment chambers.

In order to evacuate one or more process chambers, preferably at least about 50%, in particular at least about 80%, for example at least about 90%, of the fluid located in the process chamber, in particular the process fluid, is removed from the process chamber.

Preferably, the flooding process and the purging process are performed for each workpiece or group of workpieces that are individually brought into the process chamber.

In one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the processing plant comprises a plurality of first processing stations for carrying out the first step and a plurality of second processing stations for carrying out the second processing step, wherein the one or more first processing stations and the one or more second processing stations are preferably each a component of a processing unit of the processing plant, through which the workpiece passes for carrying out the processing step.

In particular, the processing unit comprises a plurality of processing stations arranged in succession along a main transport direction of a transport device for transporting workpieces. Preferably, all the processing steps that can be carried out one after the other for workpiece processing can be carried out by means of the processing unit.

It can be provided that the processing device comprises a plurality of processing units, which in particular each comprise one or more first processing stations and one or more second processing stations and/or which in particular form mutually different processing lines of the processing device.

Preferably, one or more first treatment stations of mutually different treatment units have a common fluid guide and/or a common fluid tank. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that one or more second treatment stations of mutually different treatment units have a common fluid guide and/or a common fluid tank.

Furthermore, it can alternatively or additionally be provided that one or more first treatment stations of mutually different treatment units have a common mating tank and/or a common cleaning device. Furthermore, it can alternatively or additionally be provided that one or more second treatment stations of mutually different treatment units have a common mating tank and/or a common cleaning device.

Advantageously, a fluid, in particular a first treatment fluid, can be initially introduced by means of the fluid guide

a) One or more process chambers which are supplied to one or more process stations, in particular to the first process station, of the first process unit; and then

b) Is supplied to one or more process stations of the second process unit, in particular to one or more process chambers of the first process station. One or more intermediate storage tanks may be arranged between the first and second processing units and/or between two processing stations of the same processing unit or of processing units different from each other.

Advantageously, a fluid, in particular a second treatment fluid, can be initially introduced by means of the fluid guide

a) Is supplied to one or more process stations, in particular one or more process chambers of a second process station, of a first process unit, and then

b) Is supplied to one or more process stations of the second process unit, in particular to one or more process chambers of the second process station. One or more intermediate storage tanks can be arranged between the first and second processing units and/or between two processing stations of the same processing unit or of processing units different from one another.

Advantageously, fluid can be supplied alternately to the treatment chambers of mutually different treatment units by means of the fluid guide.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the fluid can be supplied alternately to the treatment chambers of the same treatment unit by means of the fluid guide.

Preferably, the fluid guide is connected to or comprises a cleaning device, in particular such that the fluid can be cleaned after being removed from one of the treatment chambers and/or before being supplied again to another of the treatment chambers.

Preferably, the purging of the fluid is effected while evacuating the process chamber and/or after a single or multiple use of the fluid in the flooding process and/or process steps.

Preferably, the total amount of fluid contained in the fluid guide in total is at most about two times, in particular at most about three times, the amount of fluid required for performing a single flooding process in the treatment chamber.

In this case, the fluid guide preferably comprises all components which guide and receive the fluid, in particular one or more fluid tanks, one or more treatment chambers, one or more intermediate storage tanks and/or one or more mating tanks, and optionally one or more purification devices.

In particular, the fluid quantity is the mass of the fluid and/or the volume of the fluid, in particular under standard conditions.

Preferably, in order to perform the cleaning operation, the fluid can optionally be brought into, in particular pumped into, and stored in, a single or a plurality of components of the fluid guide. For example, it can be provided that, for cleaning at least one fluid tank, the fluid can be completely received in one or more treatment containers and/or one or more mating tanks. Furthermore, it can be provided that the fluid can be completely received in one or more fluid tanks and/or one or more mating tanks, for example, for the purpose of cleaning one or more treatment containers. Furthermore, it can optionally be provided that the fluid can be completely received in one or more fluid tanks and/or one or more treatment containers, for example, for the purpose of cleaning one or more mating tanks.

It can be advantageous if a plurality of, in particular all, of the processing stations of the processing unit, in particular one or more or all of the first processing stations and one or more or all of the second processing stations of the processing unit, are arranged on a common plane of the processing device. This means, in particular, that the treatment chamber of the treatment station is accessible to the workpiece only by horizontal displacement of the workpiece, in particular without a liquid level change or a level change.

It may be advantageous if a plurality of processing units of the processing device are arranged on mutually different planes of the processing device.

Provision can be made for a plurality of processing stations to be arranged one above the other in the direction of gravity. The treatment stations can be arranged here, in particular, in a supported (abstmend) retaining manner, at different sections or levels of a carrying structure, in particular a steel structure, of the treatment installation. Furthermore, it can be provided that one or more of the processing stations respectively receive one or more further processing stations arranged thereon in a load-bearing manner. Additional load bearing structures may be optional here. Preferably, the treatment container is dimensioned and/or designed for this purpose such that it can bear the weight of one or more treatment stations arranged thereon.

Advantageously, one or more fluid tanks or mating tanks can be arranged on one or more treatment vessels or between two treatment vessels, in particular held by one or more treatment vessels in a load-bearing manner. In this case, it is preferred that additional load-bearing structures are possible for one or more fluid tanks or mating tanks.

Furthermore, it can be provided that one or more treatment containers are arranged directly on one or more fluid tanks and/or mating tanks and that one or more fluid tanks and/or mating tanks receive one or more treatment containers in a load-bearing manner.

Preferably, one or more treatment stations of mutually different treatment units of the treatment plant are arranged one above the other in the direction of gravity, which treatment stations have a common fluid guide and/or are used to carry out the same treatment step.

Preferably, the plurality of processing units arranged on different planes of the processing device are functionally identical, so that in particular identical processing steps can be performed with each processing unit, in order ultimately to be able to provide a greater processing capacity of the processing device than a single processing unit.

In this case, the workpiece itself is preferably associated with and passes through only one of the processing units. Rather, the fluid guide or fluid guides are preferably designed as a jumper (lubergeifend) treatment unit and are in particular associated with a plurality of treatment units for carrying out the same treatment step.

It can be advantageous if the treatment stations arranged one above the other in the direction of gravity are connected by means of a common fluid guide, so that in particular fluid can be supplied to the individual treatment stations one after the other and can be used to carry out a flooding process, wherein in particular under the action of gravity fluid can be guided from the treatment stations to the other treatment stations located below it in the direction of gravity.

Advantageously, a common mating tank can be arranged below all the treatment stations and/or a common fluid tank can be arranged above all the treatment stations.

In this case, in particular, the fluid can be conducted from the fluid tank to the upper treatment station, then to the lower treatment station (possibly during this time to the intermediate treatment station) and finally into the counterpart tank. Preferably, the fluid can be pumped back from the mating tank into the fluid tank by means of a pump device.

It may be advantageous if the treatment device comprises a plurality of fluid guides for guiding mutually different treatment fluids, wherein the fluid guides are assigned to mutually different treatment stations for carrying out different treatment steps.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the treatment device comprises a plurality of fluid guides for guiding mutually different treatment fluids, wherein the plurality of fluid guides are assigned to the same treatment station, so that one of the treatment fluids can optionally be supplied to the treatment station in each case in order to optionally carry out different treatment steps.

In particular, a method is carried out for processing a workpiece, in which the following method steps are carried out:

bringing one or more workpieces into one or more processing chambers of one or more processing stations;

to perform a treatment fluid flooding of one or more of the process chambers,

wherein fluid is conducted from the fluid tank into the respective process chamber for flooding one or more process chambers and/or from the respective process chamber into the fluid tank for emptying the process chamber by means of the fluid conducting section.

Advantageously, the fluid can be removed from the fluid tank and supplied to the one or more treatment chambers in succession, in particular completely staggered in time. In particular, the fluid is preferably guided back into the fluid tank thereafter, for example immediately or at a later time, optionally after the fluid has been purified in the purification device. Preferably, therefore, the fluid tank and/or the one or more treatment chambers are alternately filled and emptied.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the fluid is supplied to one or more treatment chambers in a treatment station of the first treatment unit in succession, in particular with a complete time offset, and is then supplied to one or more treatment chambers in a treatment station of the second treatment unit, in particular immediately thereafter, or at a later point in time, for example after an intermediate storage in an intermediate storage tank.

The treatment device can advantageously comprise a plurality of treatment stations for treating workpieces, in particular for cleaning and/or coating vehicle bodies, wherein one or more treatment stations preferably each comprise at least one treatment container which encloses a treatment chamber for receiving a workpiece.

Preferably, the treatment device comprises a fluid guide by means of which one or more of the treatment chambers can be optionally flooded or can be emptied.

Advantageously, the treatment system can comprise a transport device for transporting the workpieces, by means of which the workpieces can be introduced into the treatment chamber or removed from the treatment chamber in the evacuated state of one or more treatment chambers. It can be provided that the workpiece can be moved along a horizontal plane by means of a transport device, in particular can be brought into and/or taken out of the process chamber.

In particular, the workpiece can be brought into the process chamber through the passage opening or can be taken out of the process chamber through another or the same passage opening.

Preferably, the processing plant comprises a main transport section extending in a main transport direction, along which the workpieces can be transported from the processing stations to further processing stations by means of a transport device, wherein preferably different processing steps are or can be carried out at the processing stations.

Preferably, the workpieces can be transported with their transverse orientation along the main transport direction or along the main transport section.

In particular, the transverse orientation of the workpiece is an orientation of the workpiece in which, during transport of the workpiece along the displacement direction, in particular the main transport direction, the main longitudinal axis of the workpiece, in particular the main longitudinal axis of the vehicle body, is oriented transversely, preferably at least approximately perpendicularly, to the displacement direction, in particular the main transport direction.

In particular, the longitudinal orientation of the workpiece is an orientation of the workpiece in which, during transport of the workpiece along a displacement direction, in particular a main transport direction, a main longitudinal axis of the workpiece, in particular a main longitudinal axis of a vehicle body, is oriented at least approximately parallel to the displacement direction, in particular the main transport direction.

Provision can be made for the workpiece to be able to be brought into the one or more treatment chambers in its longitudinal orientation or to be able to be brought out of the treatment chambers.

Preferably, the direction of movement of the workpieces when they are brought into and/or out of the process chamber is transverse, in particular at least approximately perpendicular, to the main transport direction.

In particular, it can be provided that the workpieces can be introduced into the process chamber in a direction of introduction, wherein the direction of introduction is transverse, in particular at least approximately perpendicular, to a main transport direction of the transport device.

Preferably, the treatment plant comprises a plurality of treatment stations for performing the same treatment steps, wherein two or more such treatment stations are preferably arranged on mutually opposite sides of the main transport section of the transport device.

Preferably, the workpieces introduced can be alternately distributed to the treatment stations by means of the transport device.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the processing device comprises a plurality of processing stations for carrying out the same processing steps, wherein two or more such processing stations are arranged in succession and/or side by side along the main transport direction of the transport device and/or on the same side with respect to the main transport section. Preferably, in particular to enable an optimized utilization of the processing plant, the workpieces can also be distributed to the processing stations by means of the transport device.

It can be provided that a plurality of processing stations form a processing unit, wherein a plurality of, in particular all, processing stations of the processing unit, in particular one or more or all first processing stations and one or more or all second processing stations of the processing unit, are arranged on a common plane of the processing device.

In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the processing plant comprises a main transport section (erfassen) extending in a main transport direction, along which workpieces can be transported from the processing stations to further processing stations by means of a transport device, wherein the main transport section comprises one or more tunnel sections for surrounding the main transport section.

Preferably, the one or more tunnel sections, in particular the one or more tunnel sections arranged between two treatment stations in the main transport direction, have, for example, a cleaning station and/or a rinsing station and/or a spraying station for applying a cleaning fluid, for example a degreasing fluid. In particular, the applied fluid can be flushed onto the workpiece or discharged in a jet-like manner onto the workpiece.

Fluid may drip from the workpiece during transport of the workpiece. The transport device, in particular the main transport section, therefore preferably comprises one or more collecting elements, which are configured, for example, as collecting basins and serve to receive the fluid dripping from the workpiece.

For sealing in the transition region between the treatment container and the one or more collecting elements and/or between the treatment container and the tunnel section, for example, a flush closure (Abschluss) and/or one or more sealing elements, such as sealing plates, sealing brushes, sealing caps and/or one or more suction devices, may be provided.

Advantageously, the treatment station and/or the treatment device can comprise a blowing device for blowing off the fluid from the workpiece. Such blowing devices can be arranged, for example, within the treatment container and/or in the tunnel section and/or at the transition therebetween. The blower device can be arranged outside the treatment container and/or be formed in the region of the shut-off device, for example.

In particular, the blowing device comprises: one or more air curtain devices for generating an air curtain for the overall inflow of the workpieces; and/or one or more nozzle arrangements, for example a long-throw nozzle (weitwurf nozzle), for generating a jet for locally flowing workpieces, in particular for precisely blowing off a fluid collection

Preferably, the treatment plant comprises two treatment units, which are arranged on a common plane of the treatment plant, wherein the main transport sections of the transport devices of the two treatment units are oriented in a non-parallel manner to each other and/or are arranged linearly in succession.

In particular, it can be provided that the two processing units have supply stations arranged facing away from one another for supplying workpieces; and/or extraction stations arranged towards one another for extracting the workpieces; and/or a common removal station for removing the workpieces, which is arranged in particular centrally between the main transport sections.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the two processing units have removal stations arranged opposite one another for removing the workpieces; and/or supply stations arranged towards one another for supplying workpieces; and/or a common supply station for supplying workpieces, which is arranged in particular centrally between the main transport sections.

The transport device may advantageously comprise one or more branch conveyors by means of which the workpieces can be removed from the main transport section and brought into the one or more treatment chambers and/or by means of which the workpieces can be brought out of the one or more treatment chambers and returned onto the main transport section.

In particular, in a treatment plant of this type, for the treatment of workpieces, in particular for cleaning and/or coating vehicle bodies, the following method steps can be carried out:

transporting one or more workpieces by means of a transport device;

bringing one or more workpieces into a process chamber of a process station for performing a process step;

flooding the process chamber with a fluid;

the fluid is removed and the workpiece is removed from the process chamber by means of the transport device, wherein the workpiece is brought into the process chamber and removed therefrom, in particular in an at least approximately horizontal direction.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the workpieces are transported from a processing station to the next processing station in the main transport direction and are introduced into the processing chambers of the processing stations in an introduction direction extending transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the main transport direction.

In a further embodiment of the treatment device, it can be provided that the treatment device comprises a plurality of treatment stations for treating workpieces, in particular for cleaning and/or coating vehicle bodies, wherein one or more treatment stations each comprise at least one treatment container which encloses a treatment chamber for receiving workpieces, wherein the treatment device comprises a fluid guide by means of which one or more of the treatment chambers can be optionally flooded or emptied.

The treatment device preferably comprises a transport device for transporting the workpieces, by means of which the workpieces can be brought into the treatment chambers in the emptied state of the respective treatment chamber through the passage opening configured as the belt inlet, and by means of which the workpieces can be brought out of the treatment chambers in the emptied state of the respective treatment chamber through the passage opening configured as the belt outlet.

Preferably, the strip inlet and the strip outlet are in particular different passage openings in mutually opposite side walls of the processing station.

Advantageously, the workpiece can be moved along a horizontal plane by means of a transport device, in particular can be introduced into and/or removed from the process chamber.

Preferably, the height position of the workpiece is at least substantially constant when it is brought into the process chamber and/or when it is brought out of the process chamber.

Advantageously, the processing plant can comprise a main transport section extending in a main transport direction, along which the workpieces can be transported from the processing stations to further processing stations by means of the transport device.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the workpieces can be transported with their longitudinal orientation along the main transport direction and/or along the main transport path.

Preferably, the workpiece can be transported in its longitudinal orientation through one or more process chambers.

Provision may be made for the transport device to comprise one or more transfer stations at which or by means of which the workpieces can optionally be transferred from the processing stations to further processing stations following in the main transport direction of the same and/or of processing units different therefrom. In particular, workpieces can be transferred from a processing unit to another processing unit by means of such a transfer station, for example, in order to be able to temporarily bypass defective or to-be-serviced or to-be-cleaned processing stations of the processing unit without the processing unit concerned having to be completely shut down.

It may be advantageous if the treatment plant comprises a plurality of treatment stations for performing the same treatment steps, wherein two or more of such treatment stations are preferably arranged adjacent to each other and/or are components of treatment units or treatment lines of the treatment plant extending parallel to each other.

In particular, the processing line is a processing unit in which the processing stations of the processing unit are arranged in succession along a processing direction, in particular a main transport direction.

In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the treatment plant comprises a main transport section extending in a main transport direction, along which workpieces can be transported from the treatment stations to further treatment stations by means of the transport device, wherein the main transport section comprises one or more tunnel sections for surrounding the main transport section, wherein one or more tunnel sections, in particular one or more tunnel sections arranged between two treatment stations in the main transport direction, have a cleaning station and/or a rinsing station and/or a spraying station.

Preferably, the one or more cleaning and/or rinsing and/or spraying stations are arranged and/or constructed at the one or more transfer stations.

Mechanical doors, such as roller doors or speed doors (schnellallauftor), can be provided for separating the individual tunnel sections and/or one or more cleaning and/or rinsing and/or spraying stations.

Preferably, the processing device comprises at least two processing stations for carrying out the same processing process, wherein a dispensing or collecting device is arranged before and/or after the processing stations with respect to the main transport direction of the workpieces.

Preferably, the workpieces supplied by the transport device can be divided or distributed by means of the distribution device onto at least two processing stations. A common supply of workpieces can thereby be provided to optimize the expenditure on transport technology.

The workpieces exiting from the at least two processing stations can preferably be collected by means of a collecting device and can be transported onward jointly, so that transport technology costs can preferably likewise be minimized.

Preferably, the distribution device and/or the collecting device are each designed as a lateral displacement device.

In particular, in the case of such a transverse displacement device, it is provided that the workpieces are displaced in a direction extending transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the main transport direction, in order to subsequently enable a further transport which is offset parallel to the main transport direction, in particular a further transport which is offset parallel to the main transport section.

Preferably, the treatment plant comprises one or more treatment stations for performing a flooding process and one or more treatment stations for performing an immersion bath process.

Preferably, in the treatment station for performing the flooding process, the workpiece is held stationary, while the fluid is introduced into the treatment chamber and thus the flooding process is performed.

In contrast, in the treatment stations for carrying out the dipping process, the fluid is preferably substantially stationary, so that the workpieces are brought into the fluid, in particular from above, and are removed from the fluid upwards after the treatment process has been carried out, for example by turning the respective workpiece in and out or lowering and lifting it.

The one or more treatment stations for carrying out the flooding process are each used for pretreating the workpiece, in particular for cleaning, degreasing and/or phosphating.

Preferably, one or more treatment stations for carrying out the immersion process are used for coating, in particular painting, the workpieces, and then one or more treatment stations for carrying out the immersion process can be provided, for example, with a cathodic electrocoating plant in the form of a treatment station for carrying out the immersion process.

In particular, a method is performed for processing a workpiece, the method comprising:

transporting one or more workpieces by means of a transport device;

bringing one or more workpieces into a process chamber of a process station for performing a process step;

flooding the process chamber with a fluid;

the fluid is removed and the work piece is brought out of the process chamber by means of a transport device,

in this case, the workpieces are brought into the process chambers by means of the transport device through the passage openings configured as belt inlets in the emptied state of the respective process chamber, and the workpieces are taken out of the process chambers by means of the transport device through the passage openings configured as belt outlets in the emptied state of the respective process chamber, wherein the belt inlets and the belt outlets are preferably passage openings that differ from one another.

Preferably, the work pieces are transported with their longitudinal orientation along the main transport direction from a processing station to the next processing station and are transported with the same longitudinal orientation through the processing chambers of the processing station.

Advantageously, one or more treatment stations, in particular one or more treatment containers and/or fluid tanks, can be constructed and/or arranged in a modular and/or individually as a whole transportable manner. In particular, it can be provided that one or more treatment stations, in particular one or more treatment containers and/or fluid tanks, are arranged at the main transport section or removed therefrom as required and can accordingly optionally be equipped with workpieces or can be skipped in the treatment sequence.

Drawings

The following description of embodiments and the annexed drawings set forth further features and/or advantages of the invention.

In the drawings:

fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a processing plant, in which two processing units arranged one above the other, each having a plurality of processing stations, are provided, wherein workpieces can be transported in a transverse orientation along a main transport direction by means of a transport device;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic vertical longitudinal sectional view of the treatment apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic top view of the treatment apparatus of FIG. 1 from above;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic vertical transverse cross-sectional view of the treatment apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a processing station of the processing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 shows another schematic perspective view of the processing station of FIG. 5 with the side walls of the processing containers of the processing station hidden;

fig. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of the processing device, corresponding to fig. 1, in which the workpieces can be transported in their longitudinal orientation along a main transport direction;

FIG. 8 shows a schematic side view of the processing apparatus of FIG. 7;

fig. 9 shows a schematic top view of the processing apparatus of fig. 7 from above;

FIG. 10 shows a schematic vertical transverse cross-sectional view of the treatment apparatus of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 shows a schematic perspective view of a processing station of the processing plant of FIG. 7, corresponding to FIG. 5;

fig. 12 shows a schematic perspective view corresponding to fig. 11 of a processing station of the processing plant of fig. 7, wherein the side walls of the processing containers of the processing station are hidden;

fig. 13 shows a schematic top view of a third embodiment of a treatment plant, in which treatment stations are arranged on both sides of a main transport section;

fig. 14 shows a schematic top view of a fourth embodiment of a treatment plant, in which two mutually facing ends of a common main transport section or of two main transport sections adjoin a supply station for supplying workpieces, wherein a common removal station for removing workpieces is arranged substantially centrally;

fig. 15 shows a schematic top view of a fifth embodiment of the processing plant, in which the distribution and collection devices of the transport device are arranged, so that the workpieces can be distributed to different processing stations and can be collected in order to minimize the complexity of the transport technique;

FIG. 16 shows a schematic top view of the upper side of a sixth embodiment of the treatment plant, in which a combination of a treatment station for performing a flooding procedure and a treatment station for performing an immersion bath process is arranged;

fig. 17 shows an enlarged view of the region XVII in fig. 16 in a vertical longitudinal sectional view;

fig. 18 shows an enlarged view of the region XVIII in fig. 17;

FIG. 19 shows an alternative design of the processing station shown in FIG. 18;

fig. 20 shows a schematic vertical transverse section through the processing station according to fig. 19, wherein further workpieces to be processed are arranged within the processing chamber of the processing station.

Fig. 21 shows a schematic perspective view of a processing station, in which an externally located drive unit of the transport device and two externally located sensor elements of the sensor device are arranged;

FIG. 22 shows an isolated schematic perspective view of the transporter and sensor arrangement of FIG. 21;

fig. 23 shows an enlarged view of the region XXIII in fig. 22, viewed towards the inside of the upper part of the drive unit and the coupling device towards the process chamber;

fig. 24 shows an enlarged view of region XXIV in fig. 22;

fig. 25 shows an enlarged view of the region XXV in fig. 22;

fig. 26 shows an enlarged view of region XXVI in fig. 22; and

fig. 27 shows an enlarged view of the region XXVI in fig. 22, viewed in a further viewing direction.

Identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference symbols in all the figures.

Detailed Description

A processing apparatus, generally designated 100, shown in fig. 1 to 6, is used for processing a workpiece 102, such as a vehicle body 104.

The processing tool 100 includes one or more processing units 106, such as two processing units 106, that are optionally traversed by the workpiece 102 to perform a plurality of processing steps.

In the first embodiment of the processing device 100 shown in fig. 1 to 6, a supply station 108 is provided for supplying to the processing unit 106.

The supply station 108 is here a component of a transport device 110 of the processing plant 100.

Preferably, the supply station 108 forms a dispensing device 112 for dispensing the workpieces 102 onto the processing units 106.

The supply station 108 is configured, for example, as a lift and serves to supply the workpieces 102 to the processing units 106 arranged on different planes of the processing apparatus 100.

The processing plant 100, in particular each processing unit 106, comprises one or more processing stations 114 for processing the workpieces 102, in particular for performing an immersion process, which will be described in more detail below.

The processing stations 114 are arranged in succession along a main transport direction 116 of the transport device 110.

In the first embodiment of the processing plant 100 shown in fig. 1 to 6, a main transport section 118 of the transport device 110 is provided, which extends along all processing stations 114 and from which workpieces 102 can be supplied to the individual processing stations 114.

In particular, the main transport section 118 comprises one or more tunnel sections 120 for at least several individual sections around the main transport section 118.

Preferably, the main transport section 118 also includes one or more decontamination stations 122 and/or spray stations 124 and/or rinse stations 126.

In particular, the decontamination station 122, the spray station 124, and/or the rinse station 126 are arranged and/or configured with respect to the main transport direction 116 before one or more of the process stations 114, between a plurality of the process stations 114, and/or after one or more of the process stations 114.

After processing the workpiece 102, the workpiece can be transported further by means of the removal station 128.

In particular, the takeout station 128 forms a collecting device 130 for collecting the workpieces 102 processed at the different processing units 106 and for onward transport of the workpieces together.

In the first embodiment of the processing plant 100 shown in fig. 1 to 6, the workpiece 102 can be transported in particular in a transverse orientation 132, in particular in the transverse orientation 132 along the main transport direction 116.

Preferably, the vehicle bodies 104 are brought along their longitudinal axis into the processing stations 114, which are adjacent to the main transport section 118, in particular laterally.

As can be gathered from fig. 3 in particular, for example, a first processing station 114a, a second processing station 114b, a third processing station 114c and a fourth processing station 114d are provided in each processing unit 106.

Preferably, each processing station 114a, 114b, 114c, 114d is provided with a fluid tank 134.

In addition, each processing station 114a, 114b, 114c, 114d includes one or more processing receptacles 136 for performing processing of workpieces.

In particular, the workpiece 102 can be processed with one or more fluids that are liquids.

In particular, therefore, liquid may drip off the workpiece 102 during its transport.

The transport device 110, in particular the main transport section 118, therefore preferably comprises one or more collecting elements 138, which are configured, for example, as collecting basins and serve to receive liquid dripping from the workpiece 102.

In particular, the collecting element 138 is fitted in a fluid guide, also described, of the treatment device 100, in order to be able to reuse or discharge the liquid collected thereby.

As can be gathered in particular from fig. 6, each processing station 114 comprises a fluid tank 134, for example a liquid tank, which is arranged above a processing container 136, for example.

The fluid tank 134 and the treatment container 136 are connected to one another by means of a fluid guide 140 or form an integral part of the fluid guide 140.

In particular, the fluid guide 140 comprises a fluid line, for example a supply line 142, by means of which fluid can be introduced from the fluid tank 134 into the treatment container 136.

In particular, the supply can be controlled and/or regulated with respect to the volume flow by means of a valve device 144.

In particular, the supply line 142 opens in a floor region 146 into a process chamber 148 within the process container 136.

In particular, the processing vessel 136 includes a closed bottom wall 150, a closed top wall 152, two closed side walls 154, and a closed end wall (the other side wall) 156.

Preferably, the other end wall 156, i.e. the other and thus the fourth side wall 154, is provided with a passage opening 158.

Preferably, the passage opening 158 extends over at least about 60%, preferably at least about 80%, in particular at least about 95%, of the total area of the end wall 156.

In particular, the access opening 158 is used to bring in and/or out the workpiece 102.

In particular, the passage opening 158 is thus a tape inlet 160 and/or a tape outlet 162.

Preferably, the passage opening 158 can be closed by means of a closing device 164 of the processing station 114.

In particular, the closing device 164 comprises a closing element 166, which can optionally be brought into an open position or a closed position by means of a closing drive 168.

The closing drive 168 is or comprises, for example, a lifting device 170.

In particular, the closing drive 168 comprises an electric motor and a spindle drive for driving, in particular raising and lowering, the closing element 166.

Preferably, the closing element 166 can thus be moved in front of or lifted above the passage opening 158.

In particular, the closing element 166 forms a shutter 172 of the closing device 164.

In order to guide the closing element 166 and/or to support the fluid pressure in the treatment container 136 acting on the closing element 166 during the flooding process, a guide device 174 for displaceably receiving and guiding the closing element 166 is preferably provided at the treatment container 136.

Preferably, the closing device 164 is configured to be self-locking and/or self-sealing in order to ensure a fluid-tightness of the treatment container 136.

In particular, the transport device 110 or at least one section of the transport device 110 is arranged and/or formed in the floor area 146 of the treatment container 136.

In particular, a guide 176 of the transport device 110 for receiving the workpiece 102 in a load-bearing manner is arranged and/or formed in the floor region 146.

In particular, a receiving device 178, for example a skid 180, for receiving a workpiece 102 in the form of a vehicle body 104 can be received by means of the guide 176 and can be introduced into and/or removed from the process chamber 148 in a feed direction 182, in particular in a horizontal direction 184. Preferably, the transport device 110 has only the guide 176 within the treatment container 136. Preferably, the drive assembly of the transport device 110 is arranged and/or constructed outside the processing container 136.

To perform the flooding process in the processing vessel 136, fluid may be supplied via supply line 142. Preferably, the fluid can be output from the process vessel 136 via an exhaust line 186.

In order to be able to completely bypass the workpiece 102 with fluid or to completely submerge the workpiece 102 in fluid, the interior of the process container 136 (process chamber 148) must be filled with fluid up to a certain filling level.

In order to minimize the amount of fluid required for this purpose, one or more insert elements 188, in particular insert elements 188 designed as displacement elements 190, are preferably provided.

In particular, the displacement element 190 serves here to minimize the free space in the process chamber 148, which does not have to be filled with fluid.

In particular, the displacement element 190 here at least partially matches the shape of the workpiece 102 to be processed, for example the shape facing the workpiece 102 at least approximately follows the shape of the front region of the workpiece 102 (see fig. 6).

Furthermore, at least one insert element 188 configured as a displacement element 190 can be provided in the region of the transport device 110 in order to minimize the free space of the floor region 146.

For example, one or more support elements 192 can be provided as further insert elements 188.

The support elements 192 can, for example, support the workpiece 102 at least in regions in order to secure, in particular support, the workpiece against displacement and/or deformation during the flooding process. Preferably, accelerated flooding of the process chamber 148 is thereby achieved.

Preferably, after flooding is complete, the respective support element 192 is removed from the workpiece 102 to ensure complete wetting and/or bypassing of the workpiece 102 by the fluid.

Furthermore, one or more of the displacement elements 190 may be moved before, during, and/or after the flooding process in order to optimize the flooding process.

In particular, if the fluid is prone to foaming when it is poured in, it can be provided that the fluid flows into the treatment chamber 148 in the inflow region 194 under permanent and/or minimal fluid positions. In particular, the inflow region 194 is arranged below the passage opening 158 in order to avoid an undesired outflow of fluid when the closing device 164 is open.

As is shown in particular in fig. 4, the processing stations 114 of different processing units 106 can be connected to one another by means of one or more common fluid guides 140.

In particular, it can be provided that the fluid is first guided by means of the fluid guide 140 from the fluid tank 134 of the upper treatment unit 106 with respect to the direction of gravity g into the treatment container 136 of this upper treatment unit 106, and subsequently guided from the treatment container 136 into the fluid tank 134 of the lower treatment unit 106 with respect to the direction of gravity g and thereby used for the flooding process in the treatment container 136 of the lower treatment unit 106.

The fluid can then be conducted, for example, into a pairing tank 196 arranged below the lower treatment unit 106, from where it is conducted back into the fluid tank 134 of the upper treatment unit 106, for example, by means of a pump device 198 and/or after purification of the fluid by means of a purification device 200.

In principle, such a fluid guide 140 can be provided for various types of processing stations 114 of a plurality of processing units 106, respectively.

The second embodiment of the processing plant 100 shown in fig. 7 to 12 differs from the first embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 6 primarily in that the workpieces 102 are transported in a longitudinal orientation 202 along the main transport direction 116 through the processing containers 136 of the processing stations 114.

As can be seen in particular in fig. 11 and 12, the processing container 136 of the processing station 114 is provided for this purpose with a passage opening 158 on both sides, wherein the passage opening 158 forms a tape inlet 160 and the other passage opening 158 forms a tape outlet 162.

In particular, the workpiece 102 can be transported through the process chamber 148 in the feed direction 182.

The two passage openings 158 are closed in order to perform a flooding process in the process chamber 148. To this end, each passage opening 158 is provided with a separate closing device 164.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 7 to 12, the successively arranged processing stations 114 form, for example, a processing line.

Each processing line can be a processing unit 106, so that, for example, two processing units 106 can be arranged in each case on the same plane.

The fluid guides 140 can be assigned to the treatment stations 114 on the same plane or on different planes (see in particular fig. 10) in order to enable an optimized fluid guidance and/or fluid utilization.

Furthermore, the second embodiment of the treatment apparatus 100 shown in fig. 7 to 12 corresponds in terms of structure and function to the first embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 6, so that reference is made to the preceding description thereof in this regard.

The third embodiment of the processing plant 100 shown in fig. 13 differs from the first embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 6 primarily in that the processing stations 114 are arranged on both sides of the main transport section 118.

Thus, the workpieces 102 can be brought into the processing chambers 148 of the processing stations 114 by means of the transport device 110, optionally on the right or left side of the main transport path 118, in order to perform workpiece processing. As a result, the main transport section 118 can be designed to be particularly short and compact.

In particular, the orientation of the workpiece 102 can be changed by means of the rotary table 204 before or at the supply station 108 in order to enable an optimized supply to the main transport section 118.

In the third embodiment shown in fig. 13, the fluid guide 140 (not shown in fig. 13) is provided, for example, in that the processing stations 114 arranged opposite one another with respect to the main transport section 118 always have a common fluid guide 114 and are therefore used to carry out the same processing steps.

The third embodiment of the treatment device 100 shown in fig. 13 can form one treatment unit 106, which can of course be arranged multiply, in particular overlapping.

Furthermore, the third embodiment of the processing apparatus 100 shown in fig. 13 corresponds in structure and function to the first embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 6, so that reference is made to the foregoing description thereof in this regard.

The fourth embodiment of the treatment plant 100 shown in fig. 14 differs from the first embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 6 primarily in that a removal station 128 is provided which is arranged centrally with respect to the main transport section 118 or with respect to both main transport sections 118. The workpieces 102 are thus removed centrally from the processing unit 106 and are accordingly supplied at the ends 206 of the main transport section 118 facing away from one another. For this purpose, a supply station 108 is provided at each end 206.

The workpieces 102 are thus transported from the two supply stations 108 toward one another and are brought out by means of a common take-off station 128 and transported further.

Furthermore, the fourth embodiment of the processing apparatus 100 shown in fig. 14 corresponds in structure and function to the first embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 6, so that reference is made to the foregoing description thereof in this regard.

The fifth embodiment of the treatment plant 100 shown in fig. 15 differs from the second embodiment shown in fig. 7 to 12 primarily in that the treatment units 106 forming the treatment line comprise a plurality of treatment stations 114 which can be equipped parallel to one another.

Preferably, the main transport section 118 of the transport device 110 of the processing plant 100 comprises one or more distribution devices 112 for this purpose in order to distribute the workpieces 102 supplied via the supply stations 108 to the processing stations 114 arranged parallel to one another.

In particular, the distribution device 112 is a lateral pushing device 208.

Preferably, the further lateral displacement device 208 forms a collecting device 130 which is arranged downstream of the processing stations 114 and serves to collect the workpieces 102 and transport them together. In particular, the workpiece 102 can then be supplied to the rinse station 126 or the spray station 124.

One or more further distribution devices 112, processing stations 114 arranged parallel to one another and/or collecting devices 130 can be provided for further processing steps of the processing plant 100.

In a fifth embodiment of the treatment plant, shown in fig. 15, two such treatment steps are provided with treatment stations 114, respectively, arranged parallel to each other.

Further, the fifth embodiment shown in fig. 15 of the processing apparatus 100 corresponds in structure and function to the second embodiment shown in fig. 7 to 12, so that reference may be made to the foregoing description thereof in this regard.

The sixth embodiment of the processing apparatus 100 shown in fig. 16 to 18 differs from the second embodiment shown in fig. 7 to 12 mainly in that the workpiece 102 can be replaced between two processing units 106 arranged on one plane.

For this purpose, the transport devices 110 of the processing units 106 comprise one or more transfer stations 210, by means of which workpieces 102 can be transferred from the transport device 110 of one processing unit 106 to the transport device 110 of another processing unit 106.

In particular, the workpieces 102 can be transferred from the main transport section 118 of one processing unit 106 to the main transport section 118 of another processing unit 106 by means of the transfer station 210.

In particular, the process stations 114 to be serviced and/or cleaned and/or serviced can thereby be bypassed in an isolated manner without the entire process unit 106 having to be temporarily shut down.

Furthermore, as can be gathered in particular from fig. 17, in addition to the workpiece treatment by flooding, in the sixth embodiment of the processing device 100 shown in fig. 16 to 18, it is also provided for the workpiece treatment to be carried out by immersion in the workpiece.

For this purpose, one or more treatment containers 136 designed as immersion baths 212 are provided, wherein the associated treatment stations 114 are used to carry out immersion processes

。

In particular, immersion baths 212 of this type are used for coating workpieces 102, for example for painting workpieces in the context of cathodic electrocoating.

In particular, a plurality of such immersion baths 212 may be arranged in succession along the main transport direction 116, for example after one or more treatment stations 114 for performing a flooding process for workpiece pretreatment.

As may be gathered in particular from fig. 17, it can be provided that the processing station 114 is provided with a plurality of fluid tanks 134 and/or a plurality of mating tanks 196 in order to be able to carry out different processing steps in the same processing chamber 148.

In particular, the process chamber 148 can be flooded alternately or sequentially with different fluids, in particular process liquids.

As can be gathered in particular from fig. 18, the tilting element 214 can also be provided as a closing element 166 instead of the closing element 166 in the form of a shutter 172.

In particular, the tilting element 214 is arranged so as to be pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis and can be brought into a vertical orientation for closing the respective passage opening 158 and into a horizontal orientation for opening the passage opening 158 (two states are shown in fig. 18).

The closing element 166 may, for example, only partially cover the passage opening 158 but may also completely cover the passage opening 158. In the embodiment shown in fig. 18, it is provided that the passage openings 158 are only partially covered, so that the processing station 114 according to fig. 18 is only suitable for a partial flooding process.

The size of the closure element 166 may be selected based on the fill bit required for performing workpiece processing.

The at least one closing element 166, in particular the at least one turning element 214, may for example comprise or form one or more transport elements of the transport device 110, in particular one or more guide elements (not shown in the figures) of the guide 176 of the transport device 110. In particular, the closure element 166 serves to guide the one or more workpieces 102 in a load-bearing manner when the workpieces are brought into the process chamber 148 via the closure element 166.

Furthermore, the embodiment of the treatment device 100 shown in fig. 16 to 18 corresponds in terms of structure and function to the second embodiment shown in fig. 7 to 12, so that reference is made to the preceding description thereof in this regard.

Fig. 19 and 20 show a further alternative embodiment of the treatment station 114, which essentially corresponds to the embodiment of the treatment station 114 shown in fig. 18, however, comprises a collecting container 218, which is situated below the treatment chamber 148 and is designed, for example, as a collecting funnel 216, by means of which the fluid to be discharged from the treatment chamber 148 can be collected.

In particular, therefore, the collection container 218 forms a mating tank 196 of the fluid guide 140.

The embodiment of the processing station 114 shown in fig. 19 and 20 corresponds in terms of structure and function to the embodiment shown in fig. 18, so that reference is made to the preceding description thereof in this respect.

An alternative modification of the processing station 114 is shown in fig. 21 to 27. In this case, the transport device 110 comprises one or more drive units 220, which act on a guide path section 222 of the transport device 110 from outside the treatment chamber 148. For example, the drive unit 220 may be or comprise an electric motor.

Preferably, the one or more drive units 220 are purely mechanically coupled with the guide track section 222. In particular, it can be provided that the coupling device 224 establishes a mechanical connection between one or more drive units 220 located on one side and the guide path section 222 of the transport device 110 located on the other side. In this case, in particular, the workpieces 102 guided on the guide path section 222 within the process chamber 148 can be driven, preferably can travel linearly, by means of one or more drive units 220 arranged outside the process chamber 148, for example can be brought into the process chamber 148 or can be taken out of the process chamber.

Advantageously, the one or more drive units 220 can be arranged above the maximum filling level or the maximum filling height of the process chamber 148 and/or at the outer side 226 of the side wall 228 of the process container 136 enclosing the process chamber 148.

Preferably, the one or more drive units 220 are arranged at an end region of the processing container 136 facing away from the passage opening 158 of the processing container 136 and/or in a region of a side wall 228 of the processing container 136 close to the top.

Preferably, the coupling means 224 are guided through the side wall 228, preferably at the level of the one or more drive units 220. The passage openings 230 for the passage of the coupling device 224 are preferably arranged and/or formed here above the maximum filling level or the maximum filling level of the process chamber 148. Preferably, the coupling element 232 of the coupling device 224 guided through the side wall 228 is a rotary shaft or a coupling shaft.

Preferably, the rotary shaft or coupling shaft is connected to further rotary shafts or coupling shafts by means of a pulling element 234, in particular by means of a belt and/or a chain, for example a twin-roller chain, which is arranged in the region of the guide path section 222 and ultimately acts directly or indirectly on the workpiece 102 in order to drive the workpiece. In particular, the tensioning element 234 can be tensioned by means of one or two tensioning elements 236, in particular tensioning wheels.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 21 to 27, it is furthermore provided that the processing station 114 comprises one or more sensor devices 238 which enable status and/or position detection within the processing chamber 148 from outside the processing chamber 148. The correct positioning of the workpiece 102 within the process chamber 148 can be ascertained or monitored, for example, by means of the sensor arrangement 238.

Preferably, the one or more sensor devices 238 each comprise one or more sensor elements 240 arranged outside the process chamber 148, which are preferably purely mechanically coupled with one or more emitter elements 242 within the process chamber 148 (see in particular fig. 25 to 27). In particular, it can be provided that the coupling device 224 establishes a mechanical connection between one or more sensor elements 240 on the one hand and one or more emitter elements 242 on the other hand. In this case, in particular, the workpiece 102 arranged within the process chamber 148 can be detected, preferably its position ascertained or monitored, by means of one or more sensor elements 240 arranged outside the process chamber 148.

Advantageously, the one or more sensor elements 240 can be arranged above the maximum filling level or the maximum filling height of the process chamber 148 and/or at the outer side 226 of the side wall 228 of the process container 136 enclosing the process chamber 148.

Preferably, the one or more sensor elements 240 are disposed in a region of the sidewall 228 of the processing vessel 136 near the top.

Preferably, the coupling means 224 of the sensor arrangement 238 are guided through the side wall 228, preferably at the level of one or more sensor elements 240. The feed-through opening 230 for the introduction of the coupling device 224 is preferably arranged and/or formed above a maximum filling level of the treatment chamber 148. Preferably, the coupling element 232 of the coupling device 224 guided through the side wall 228 is a rotary shaft or a coupling shaft.

Preferably, the rotary shaft or the coupling shaft is connected to further rotary shafts or coupling shafts by means of tension elements or compression elements, in particular by means of coupling rods 244, which are arranged, for example, in the region of the floor and/or in the region of the guide path section 222 and are connected to the transmitter element 242. Preferably, a rotation of the further rotary shaft or coupling shaft, for example, a vertical displacement of the coupling rod 244 and thus a rotation of the (upper) rotary shaft or coupling shaft, which is guided out of the treatment chamber 148, can be brought about by actuating the transmitter element 242, for example by rotating the transmitter element 242, wherein the movement is finally carried out or caused by the (upper) rotary shaft or coupling shaft, which can be detected by means of the at least one sensor element 240. Thus, purely mechanical manipulation by the coupling device 224 may detect a change in orientation or other movement of the emitter element 242 by means of the one or more sensor elements 240.

The preferred embodiment is as follows:

1. a processing station (114) for processing workpieces (102), in particular for cleaning and/or coating vehicle bodies (104),

wherein the processing station (114) comprises a processing container (136) which encloses a processing chamber (148) for receiving the workpiece (102).

2. The processing station (114) according to embodiment 1, characterized in that the processing chamber (148) can be flooded with fluid,

wherein the processing container (136) comprises at least one passage opening (158) for introducing the workpiece (102) into the processing chamber (148) and/or for removing the workpiece (102) from the processing chamber (148),

wherein the treatment vessel (136) comprises a closing device (164) for selectively closing and releasing the at least one passage opening (158).

3. The processing station (114) according to embodiment 2, characterized in that the at least one passage opening (158) is arranged and/or configured in one or more side walls (154) of the processing container (136), in particular in one or more end walls (156) of the processing container (136).

4. The processing station (114) according to embodiment 2 or 3, characterized in that a closing device (164) is used for closing the at least one passage opening (158) in a fluid-tight manner.

5. The processing station (114) according to any of the embodiments 2 to 4, characterized in that the closing device (164) comprises a lifting device (170) for lifting and lowering the closing element (166) of the closing device (164), in particular for lifting the closing element (166) in order to bring it into the open position and for lowering the closing element (166) in order to bring it into the closed position.

6. The processing station (114) according to any of the embodiments 2 to 5, characterized in that the closing device (164) comprises a pivoting device for pivoting a closing element (166) of the closing device (164), in particular wherein the closing element (166) is pivotable about an at least approximately horizontal pivot axis.

7. The processing station (114) according to any of the embodiments 2 to 6, characterized in that the closing device (164) comprises a closing drive (168) for automatically moving a closing element (166) of the closing device (164).

8. The processing station (114) according to one of the embodiments 2 to 7, characterized in that the processing station (114) comprises a fluid tank (134) for receiving a fluid, in particular a processing fluid, wherein the fluid can be brought from the fluid tank (134) into the processing chamber (148) by means of the fluid guide (140) in order to flood the processing chamber (148) and/or wherein the fluid can be guided back from the processing chamber (148) into the fluid tank (134) by means of the fluid guide (140) in order to empty the processing chamber (148).

9. The processing station (114) according to one of the embodiments 2 to 8, characterized in that the processing station (114) comprises a transport device (110) for transporting the workpiece (102), in particular for bringing the workpiece (102) into the processing chamber (148) and/or for taking the workpiece (102) out of the processing chamber (148).

10. The processing station (114) according to embodiment 9, characterized in that the workpiece (102) can be moved along a horizontal plane by means of the transport device (110), in particular can be brought into the processing chamber (148) and/or can be taken out of the processing chamber (148).

11. The processing station (114) according to embodiment 9 or 10, characterized in that the transport device (110) comprises one or more drive units for moving the workpieces (102), wherein the drive units, in particular all drive units, of the transport device (110) are arranged outside the processing chamber (148) at least during the execution of the workpiece processing.

12. The processing station (114) according to one of the embodiments 9 to 11, characterized in that the transport device (110) comprises a guide device (176) for receiving the workpieces (102) in a load-bearing manner, wherein the guide device (176) extends from outside the processing chamber (148), in particular through the at least one passage opening (158), into the processing chamber (148).

13. The processing station (114) according to one of the embodiments 9 to 12, characterized in that the transport device (110) comprises a guide device (176) for receiving the workpieces (102) in a load-bearing manner, wherein the guide device (176) comprises at least one guide path section arranged outside the processing chamber (148) and at least one guide path section arranged inside the processing chamber (148), wherein the workpieces (102) can be transferred through the passage opening (158) from the guide path section arranged outside the processing chamber (148) to the guide path section arranged inside the processing chamber (148), in particular by driving the workpieces (102) by means of one or more drive units.

14. The processing station (114) according to one of the embodiments 9 to 13, characterized in that the transport device (110) comprises a locking device for locking the workpiece (102) in a processing position within the processing chamber (148), in particular wherein the workpiece (102) can be prevented from moving counter to the direction of gravity (g) by means of the locking device.

15. The processing station (114) according to one of the embodiments 9 to 14, characterized in that the transport device (110) comprises a displacement device for turning and/or rotating the workpiece (102), in particular for a temporary position change relative to an at least approximately horizontal standard position.

16. The processing station (114) according to any of the embodiments 1 to 15, characterized in that the processing chamber (148) is floodable with a fluid, wherein the processing station (114) comprises one or more built-in elements (188) arranged or arrangeable in the processing chamber (148) for assisting the flooding process.

17. The processing station (114) according to embodiment 16, characterized in that the one or more built-in elements (188) are matched or can be matched in their position and/or function and/or shape to the workpiece (102) to be processed.

18. The processing station (114) according to one of the embodiments 16 or 17, characterized in that the one or more insert elements (188) are configured as displacement elements (190), by means of which it is possible in particular to fill free spaces within the processing chamber (148), which remain free during the flooding process without the respective insert element (188) and can therefore be filled with fluid.

19. The processing station (114) according to embodiment 18, characterized in that the one or more displacement elements (190) are matched or can be matched at least locally or regionally to the shape of the workpiece (102) to be processed.

20. The processing station (114) according to embodiment 18 or 19, characterized in that the one or more displacement elements (190) have hollow bodies which can be filled and/or can remain filled and/or can be emptied independently of the flooding process.

21. The processing station (114) according to one of the embodiments 18 to 20, characterized in that the one or more displacement elements (190) are of variable shape and/or size, for example, of inflatable design, and the processing station (114) comprises a modification device for modifying the shape and/or size of the one or more displacement elements (190), in particular for reducing the free space within the processing chamber (148) to be flooded for the processing operation.

22. The processing station (114) according to any of the embodiments 18 to 21, characterized in that the one or more displacement elements (190) fill one or more free spaces in the area of the transport device (110) of the processing station (114).

23. The processing station (114) according to one of the embodiments 18 to 22, characterized in that the one or more displacement elements (190) fill up the free space above the workpiece (102) configured as a vehicle body (104), in particular above a vehicle front part and/or a vehicle rear part of the vehicle body (104).

24. The processing station (114) according to any of the embodiments 16 to 23, characterized in that the one or more built-in elements (188) are configured as support elements (192) for supporting the workpiece (102) to be processed during the flooding process.

25. The processing station (114) according to claim 24, characterized in that one or more of the support elements (192) each have a support section for supporting the workpiece (102) directly against it.

26. The processing station (114) according to any of the embodiments 16 to 25, characterized in that the one or more built-in elements (188) are configured as temperature-regulating elements for regulating the temperature of the processing containers (136) and/or of the fluid.

27. The processing station (114) according to any of the embodiments 16 to 26, characterized in that one or more built-in elements (188) are or can be arranged to be temporarily used for one or more processing and/or flooding processes or to be permanently located in the processing chamber (148).

28. The processing station (114) according to one of the embodiments 16 to 27, characterized in that one or more built-in elements (188) can be automatically brought into the free space to be flooded of the processing chamber (148) for carrying out the flooding process and can be automatically removed from the free space to be flooded after carrying out the flooding process.

29. The processing station (114) according to embodiment 28, characterized in that one or more built-in elements (188) are arranged or arrangeable at a closing element (166) for closing the passage opening (158) of the processing container (136), and the one or more built-in elements (188) can be brought into a position of the built-in elements assisting the flooding process by the closing element (166) moving into the closed position.

30. The processing station (114) according to any of the embodiments 1 to 29, characterized in that the processing station (114) comprises a fluid tank (134) for receiving a fluid, and the processing station (114) comprises a fluid guide by means of which a) the fluid can be guided from the fluid tank (134) into the processing container (136) in order to flood the processing chamber (148); and/or b) to drain the process chamber (148), fluid can be conducted from the process container (136) into the fluid tank (134).

31. The processing station (114) according to embodiment 30, characterized in that the fluid tank (134) is arranged above the processing container (136) with respect to the direction of gravity (g).

32. The processing station (114) according to embodiment 30 or 31, characterized in that the fluid guide (140) comprises a pump device (198) by means of which fluid can be pumped from the processing chamber (148) into the fluid tank (134).

33. The processing station (114) according to one of the embodiments 30 to 32, characterized in that the fluid guide (140) comprises a fluid line configured as a supply line (142), by means of which fluid can be supplied to the processing chamber (148), wherein the supply line (142) opens into the processing container (136) in a floor region (146).

34. The processing station (114) according to embodiment 33, characterized in that the processing container (136) comprises an inflow region (194), which is located in particular below the passage opening (158) of the processing container (136) and which is also filled with fluid in an evacuated state of the processing container (136) provided for the replacement of workpieces (102), wherein the supply line (142) opens into the inflow region (194).

35. The processing station (114) according to any of the embodiments 30 to 34, characterized in that the fluid guide (140) comprises a purification device (200) for purifying the fluid, in particular wherein the purification device (200) is arranged in a return conduit of the fluid guide (140) for guiding the fluid back into the fluid tank (134).

36. The processing station (114) according to any of the embodiments 30 to 35, characterized in that the processing station (114) comprises a control device by means of which the flooding process in the processing chamber (148) can be controlled and/or regulated, in particular by controlling and/or regulating a valve device (144) for opening and closing a supply duct (142) for supplying fluid to the processing chamber (148).

37. The processing station (114) according to embodiment 36, characterized in that one or more workpiece parameters, in particular the geometry and/or the size and/or the position of the respective workpiece (102) within the processing chamber (148), are taken into account for controlling and/or regulating the flooding process.

38. The processing station (114) according to embodiment 36 or 37, characterized in that the flooding process can be controlled by means of the control device such that the filling speed and/or the rate of change of the filling height of the fluid in the processing chamber (148) is changed during the flooding, in particular in a manner that matches local differences in stability of the workpiece (102).

39. The processing station (114) according to one of the embodiments 36 to 38, characterized in that the processing station (114) comprises one or more measuring devices, by means of which the volume flow of the fluid flowing into the processing chamber (148) and/or the filling level or filling level within the processing chamber (148) and/or the filling level or filling level in the fluid tank (134) can be ascertained, wherein one or more measured values of the one or more measuring devices are taken into account for controlling and/or regulating the flooding process.

40. The processing station (114) according to one of the embodiments 30 to 39, characterized in that the processing station (114) has a pairing tank (196), in particular which is arranged below the processing chamber (148) with respect to the direction of gravity (g) and to which a fluid to be discharged from the processing chamber (148) can be supplied.

41. The processing station (114) according to embodiment 40, wherein the fluid flows from the fluid tank (134) into the processing chamber (148) and/or from the processing chamber (148) into the mating tank (196) under the influence of gravity (g) only.

42. The processing station (114) according to one of the embodiments 30 to 41, characterized in that the processing station (114) comprises two or more processing chambers (148), in particular two or more processing containers (136) each having a processing chamber (148), wherein a common fluid tank (134) for supplying fluid to the two or more processing chambers (148) is provided.

43. The processing station (114) according to one of the embodiments 30 to 42, characterized in that the processing station (114) comprises a flushing device for flushing and/or cleaning the processing chamber (148), wherein a flushing medium can be brought in, in particular sprayed into, and removed, in particular discharged, from the processing chamber (148), in particular independently of a fluid, independently of the fluid tank (134), and/or independently of the mating tank (196), by means of the flushing device.

44. Processing plant (100) comprising one or more processing stations (114), in particular according to any one of embodiments 1 to 43, characterized in that each processing station (114) comprises at least one processing container (136) enclosing a processing chamber (148) for receiving a workpiece (102),

wherein each process station (114) itself or a plurality of process stations (114) together comprise a fluid tank (134) for receiving a fluid, and

wherein the treatment station (114) comprises a fluid guide (140) by means of which the fluid guide is used

a) To submerge one or more processing chambers (148), fluid can be directed from the fluid tank (134) into a corresponding processing receptacle (136); and/or

b) In order to empty the treatment chambers (148), fluid can be conducted from the respective treatment container (136) into the fluid tank (134).

45. The processing plant (100) according to embodiment 44, characterized in that the processing plant (100) comprises a plurality of first processing stations (114) for carrying out a first processing step and a plurality of second processing stations (114) for carrying out a second processing step, wherein the one or more first processing stations (114) and the one or more second processing stations (114) are or form part of a processing unit (106) of the processing plant (100), respectively, which is traversed by the workpiece (102) for carrying out the processing step.

46. The processing plant (100) according to embodiment 45, characterized in that the processing plant (100) comprises a plurality of processing units (106) which each comprise one or more first processing stations (114) and one or more second processing stations (114) and which in particular form mutually different processing lines of the processing plant (100),

a) wherein one or more first processing stations (114) of mutually different processing units (106) have a common fluid guide (140) and/or a common fluid tank (134); and/or

b) Wherein one or more second treatment stations (114) of mutually different treatment units (106) have a common fluid guide (140) and/or a common fluid tank (134).

47. The processing plant (100) according to one of the embodiments 44 to 46, characterized in that a fluid, in particular a first processing fluid, can be supplied by means of the fluid guide first a) to one or more processing stations (114) of the first processing unit (106), in particular to one or more processing chambers (148) of the first processing station (114), and then b) to one or more processing stations (114) of the second processing unit (106), in particular to one or more processing chambers (148) of the first processing station (114).

48. The processing plant (100) according to one of the embodiments 44 to 47, characterized in that a fluid, in particular a second processing fluid, can be supplied first a) to one or more processing stations (114) of the first processing unit (106), in particular to one or more processing chambers (148) of the second processing station (114), by means of a fluid guide (140); and then b) are supplied to one or more processing stations (114) of the second processing unit (106), in particular to one or more processing chambers (148) of the second processing station (114).

49. The treatment apparatus (100) according to one of the embodiments 44 to 48, characterized in that fluid can be supplied alternately to the treatment chambers (148) of mutually different treatment units (106) by means of the fluid guide (140).

50. The treatment apparatus (100) according to one of embodiments 44 to 49, characterized in that the fluid guide (140) is connected to a purification device (200) such that the fluid can be purified, in particular after removal from one of the treatment chambers (148) and/or before being supplied again to another of the treatment chambers (148).

51. The treatment apparatus (100) according to one of embodiments 44 to 50, characterized in that the total amount of fluid contained in the total fluid guide (140) is at most about twice, in particular at most about three times, the amount of fluid required for performing a single flooding process in the treatment chamber (148).

52. The processing plant (100) according to one of the embodiments 44 to 51, characterized in that a plurality of, in particular all, processing stations (114) of the processing unit (106), in particular one or more or all first processing stations (114) and one or more or all second processing stations (114) of the processing unit (106), are arranged on a common plane of the processing plant (100).

53. The processing apparatus (100) according to any of embodiments 44 to 52, wherein the plurality of processing units (106) of the processing apparatus (100) are arranged on mutually different planes of the processing apparatus (100).

54. The processing plant (100) according to one of the embodiments 44 to 53, characterized in that one or more processing stations (114) of mutually different processing units (106) of the processing plant (100) are arranged one above the other in the direction of gravity (g), have a common fluid guide (140) and/or are used for carrying out the same processing step.

55. The processing apparatus (100) according to one of embodiments 44 to 54, characterized in that the processing apparatus (100) comprises a plurality of fluid guides (140) for guiding mutually different processing fluids, wherein the fluid guides (140) are assigned to mutually different processing stations (114) for carrying out different processing steps.

56. The treatment apparatus (100) according to any one of embodiments 44 to 55, in particular, comprising:

a plurality of treatment stations (114) for treating workpieces (102), in particular for cleaning and/or coating vehicle bodies (104),

wherein the one or more processing stations (114) each comprise at least one processing container (136) which encloses a processing chamber (148) for receiving the workpieces (102),

wherein the treatment device (100) comprises a fluid guide (140) by means of which one or more of the treatment chambers (148) can be optionally flooded or evacuated,

the processing device (100) comprises a transport device (110) for transporting the workpieces (102), by means of which the workpieces (102) can be brought into the processing chamber and/or the workpieces (102) can be brought out of the processing chamber in the evacuated state of the processing chamber (148).

57. The processing apparatus (100) according to embodiment 56, characterized in that the workpiece (102) can be moved along a horizontal plane by means of the transport device (110), in particular can be introduced into the processing chamber (148) and/or can be removed from the processing chamber (148).

58. The processing plant (100) according to one of the embodiments 56 or 57, characterized in that the processing plant (100) comprises a main transport section (118) extending in a main transport direction (116), along which the workpieces (102) can be transported by means of the transport device (110) from the processing stations (114) to further processing stations (114).

59. The processing plant (100) according to one of the embodiments 56 to 58, characterized in that the workpieces (102) can be transported with their transverse orientation (132) along the main transport direction (116) and/or along the main transport path (118).

60. The processing apparatus (100) according to one of the embodiments 56 to 59, characterized in that workpieces (102) can be brought into and/or out of one or more processing chambers (148) in their longitudinal orientation (202).

61. The processing apparatus (100) according to one of the embodiments 56 to 60, characterized in that the workpieces (102) can be brought into the processing chamber (148) in a bring-in direction (182), wherein the bring-in direction (182) is transverse, in particular perpendicular, to the main transport direction (116) of the transport device (110).

62. The processing plant (100) according to any one of embodiments 56 to 61, characterized in that the processing plant (100) comprises a plurality of processing stations (114) for performing the same processing steps, wherein two or more such processing stations (114) are arranged on mutually opposite sides of a main transport section (118) of the transport device (110).

63. The processing plant (100) according to any one of embodiments 56 to 62, characterized in that the processing plant (100) comprises a plurality of processing stations (114) for performing the same processing steps, wherein two or more such processing stations (114) are arranged consecutively and/or side by side along a main transport direction (116) of the transport device (110).

64. The processing plant (100) according to one of the embodiments 56 to 63, characterized in that a plurality of processing stations (114) form a processing unit (106), wherein a plurality of, in particular all, processing stations (114) of the processing unit (106), in particular one or more or all first processing stations (114) and one or more or all second processing stations (114) of the processing unit (106), are arranged on a common plane of the processing plant (100).

65. The processing plant (100) according to one of the embodiments 56 to 64, characterized in that the processing plant (100) comprises a main transport section (118) extending in a main transport direction (116) along which workpieces (102) can be transported from the processing stations (114) to further processing stations (114) by means of a transport device (110), wherein the main transport section (118) comprises one or more tunnel sections (120) for surrounding the main transport section (118), wherein one or more tunnel sections (120), in particular one or more tunnel sections (120) arranged between two processing stations (114) in the main transport direction (116), have a cleaning station (122) and/or a rinsing station (126) and/or a spraying station (124).

66. The processing plant (100) according to one of the embodiments 56 to 65, characterized in that the processing plant (100) comprises two processing units (106) which are arranged on a common plane of the processing plant (100), wherein the main transport sections (118) of the transport means (110) of the two processing units (106) are oriented non-parallel to one another and/or are arranged linearly in succession.

67. The processing plant (100) according to embodiment 66, characterized in that the two processing units (106) have a) a supply station (108) for supplying workpieces (102) arranged facing away from one another and/or b) a removal station (128) for removing workpieces (102) arranged facing one another and/or c) a common removal station (128) for removing workpieces (102).

68. The processing plant (100) according to one of the embodiments 56 to 67, characterized in that the transport device (110) comprises one or more branch conveyors by means of which (102)

a) Being capable of removing workpieces from the main transport section (116) and bringing them into one or more processing chambers (148); and/or

b) The workpieces can be removed from the one or more treatment chambers (148) and returned to the main transport section (116).

69. The treatment device (100), in particular according to any one of embodiments 44 to 68, comprising:

a plurality of treatment stations (114) for treating workpieces (102), in particular for cleaning and/or coating vehicle bodies (104),

wherein the one or more processing stations (114) each comprise at least one processing container (136) which encloses a processing chamber (148) for receiving the workpieces (102),

wherein the treatment device (100) comprises a fluid guide (140) by means of which one or more of the treatment chambers (148) can be optionally flooded or evacuated,

the processing device (100) comprises a transport device (110) for transporting the workpieces (102), by means of which the workpieces (102) can be brought into the respective processing chamber (148) in the emptied state thereof through a passage opening (158) designed as a tape inlet (160), and by means of which the workpieces (102) can be brought out of the respective processing chamber (148) in the emptied state thereof through a passage opening (158) designed as a tape outlet (162), wherein the tape inlet (160) and the tape outlet (162) are mutually different passage openings (158).

70. The processing apparatus (100) according to embodiment 69, characterized in that the workpieces (102) can be moved along a horizontal plane by means of the transport device (110), in particular can be introduced into the processing chamber (148) and/or can be removed from the processing chamber (148).

71. The processing plant (100) according to one of embodiments 69 and 70, characterized in that the processing plant (100) comprises a main transport section (118) which extends in a main transport direction (116) and along which workpieces (102) can be transported by means of the transport device (110) from a processing station (114) to further processing stations (114).

72. The processing plant (100) according to one of the embodiments 69 to 71, characterized in that the workpieces (102) can be transported with their longitudinal orientation (202) along the main transport direction (116) and/or along the main transport path section (118).

73. The processing apparatus (100) according to any of the embodiments 69 to 72, characterized in that the workpiece (102) can be transported in its longitudinal orientation (202) through one or more processing chambers (148).

74. The processing plant (100) according to one of embodiments 69 to 73, characterized in that the transport device (110) comprises one or more transfer-on stations (210), at which or by means of which the workpieces (102) can optionally be transferred from the processing stations (114) to further processing stations (114) of the same processing unit (106) of the processing plant (100) and/or of processing units (106) different therefrom that follow in the main transport direction (116).

75. The processing plant (100) according to one of the embodiments 69 to 74, characterized in that the processing plant (100) comprises a plurality of processing stations (114) for carrying out the same processing steps, wherein two or more such processing stations (114) are arranged adjacent to one another and/or are components of processing units (106) or processing lines of the processing plant (100) extending parallel to one another.

76. The processing plant (100) according to one of the embodiments 69 to 75, characterized in that the processing plant (100) comprises a main transport section (118) extending in a main transport direction (116) along which workpieces (102) can be transported from the processing stations (114) to further processing stations (114) by means of a transport device (110), wherein the main transport section (118) comprises one or more tunnel sections (120) for surrounding the main transport section (118), wherein one or more tunnel sections (120), in particular one or more tunnel sections (120) arranged between two processing stations (114) in the main transport direction (116), have a cleaning station (122) and/or a rinsing station (126) and/or a spraying station (124).

77. The processing plant (100) according to one of the embodiments 69 to 76, characterized in that one or more cleaning stations (122) and/or rinsing stations (126) and/or spraying stations (124) are arranged or constructed at one or more transfer-on stations (210).

78. The processing apparatus (100) according to one of the embodiments 69 to 77, characterized in that the processing apparatus (100) comprises at least two processing stations (114) for carrying out the same processing procedure, and in that a distribution device (112) or a collection device (130) is arranged before and/or after a processing station (114) with respect to the main transport direction (116) of the workpieces (102).

79. The processing apparatus (100) according to embodiment 78, characterized in that the distribution device (112) and/or the collecting device (130) are each designed as a transverse displacement device (208).

80. The processing plant (100) according to any one of embodiments 69 to 79, wherein the processing plant (100) comprises one or more processing stations (114) for performing a flooding process and one or more processing stations (114) for performing an immersion bath process.

81. The processing apparatus (100) according to embodiment 80,

a) one or more treatment stations (114) for performing a flooding process for pre-treating the workpiece (102), in particular cleaning, degreasing and/or phosphating; and/or

b) One or more treatment stations (114) for carrying out an immersion bath process are used for coating, in particular painting, workpieces (102).

82. Method for treating workpieces (102), in particular for cleaning and/or coating vehicle bodies (104), in particular wherein one or more treatment stations (114) according to one of embodiments 1 to 43 and/or one or more treatment plants (100) according to one of embodiments 44 to 81 are/is applied.

83. The method of embodiment 82, wherein the method comprises:

bringing the workpiece (102) into a process chamber (148) of a process vessel (136);

flooding a process chamber (148) with a fluid for performing a workpiece process, wherein

a) Directing fluid from the fluid tank (134) into the processing vessel (136) for flooding the processing chamber (148); and/or

b) Fluid is directed from the process vessel (136) to the fluid tank (134) for emptying the process chamber (148).

84. The method of embodiment 82 or 83, among others, wherein the method comprises:

bringing one or more workpieces (102) into one or more processing chambers (148) of one or more processing stations (114);

to perform a process fluid flood of one or more process chambers (148),

wherein by means of a fluid guide (140)

a) Directing fluid from the fluid tank (134) into the respective process chambers (148) to submerge one or more process chambers (148); and/or

b) In order to empty the treatment chambers (148), fluid is guided from the respective treatment chamber (148) into the fluid tank (134).

85. The method according to one of the embodiments 82 to 84, characterized in that the fluids are fed sequentially, in particular completely staggered in time,

a) is withdrawn from the fluid tank (134) and supplied to one or more process chambers (148) and

b) thereafter, in particular immediately, or at a later point in time, for example after the fluid has been purified in the purification device (200), is conducted back into the fluid tank (134),

wherein the fluid tank (134) and/or the one or more treatment chambers (148) are thereby preferably alternately filled and emptied.

86. The method according to one of the embodiments 82 to 85, characterized in that the fluids are fed sequentially, in particular completely staggered in time,

a) is supplied to one or more process chambers (148) of a process station (114) of the first process unit (106), and

b) thereafter, in particular immediately, or at a later point in time, for example after an intermediate storage in an intermediate storage tank, is supplied to one or more treatment chambers (148) of the treatment stations (114) of the second treatment unit (106).

87. Method for treating a workpiece (102), in particular for cleaning and/or coating a vehicle body (104), in particular according to one of embodiments 82 to 86, wherein the method comprises:

the workpiece (102) is brought into the process chamber (148) of the process container (136) through the passage opening (158) of the process container (136);

closing the passage opening (158) of the treatment container (136) by means of a closing device (164);

the processing chamber (148) is flooded with fluid for performing the workpiece processing.

88. Method for treating a workpiece (102), in particular for cleaning and/or coating a vehicle body (104), in particular according to one of embodiments 82 to 87, wherein the method comprises:

transporting one or more workpieces (102) by means of a transport device (110);

bringing one or more workpieces (102) into a process chamber (148) of a process station (114) for performing a process step;

flooding the process chamber (148) with a fluid;

removing the fluid and removing the workpiece (102) from the process chamber (148) by means of the transport device (110),

wherein the workpiece (102) is brought into the process chamber (148) and out of the process chamber, in particular in an at least approximately horizontal direction.

89. Method for processing workpieces (102), in particular according to one of the embodiments 82 to 88, characterized in that the workpiece (102) is transported from a processing station (114) to the next processing station along a main transport direction (116) and is brought into a processing chamber (148) of the processing station (114) in a bringing-in direction (182) which extends transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the main transport direction (116).

90. Method for treating a workpiece (102), in particular for cleaning and/or coating a vehicle body (104), in particular according to one of embodiments 82 to 89, wherein the method comprises:

bringing the workpiece (102) into a process chamber (148) of a process vessel (136);

for performing workpiece treatment, the treatment chamber (148) is flooded with a fluid, wherein the flooding is assisted by means of one or more built-in elements (188) arranged or arrangeable in the treatment chamber (148).

91. Method for treating a workpiece (102), in particular for cleaning and/or coating a vehicle body (104), in particular according to one of embodiments 82 to 90, wherein the method comprises:

transporting one or more workpieces (102) by means of a transport device (110);

bringing one or more workpieces (102) into a process chamber (148) of a process station (114) for performing a process step;

flooding the process chamber (148) with a fluid;

removing the fluid and removing the workpiece (102) from the process chamber (148) by means of the transport device (110),

wherein the workpieces (102) are brought into the respective process chamber (148) by means of the transport device (110) through a passage opening (158) designed as a tape inlet (160) in the emptied state of the process chamber, and the workpieces (102) are brought out of the respective process chamber (148) through a passage opening (158) designed as a tape outlet (162) in the emptied state of the process chamber, wherein the tape inlet (160) and the tape outlet (162) are different passage openings (158).

92. The method according to embodiment 91, characterized in that the workpiece (102) is transported with its longitudinal orientation (202) in the main transport direction (116) from the processing station (114) to the next processing station and is transported with the same longitudinal orientation (202) through the processing chamber (148) of the processing station (114).

Description of the reference numerals

100 processing apparatus

102 workpiece

104 vehicle body

106 processing unit

108 supply station

110 transport device

112 dispensing device

114 processing stations

116 main transport direction

118 main transport section

120 tunnel segment

122 decontamination station

124 spraying station

126 rinse station

128 take-out station

130 collecting device

132 transverse orientation

134 fluid tank

136 processing container

138 collecting element

140 fluid guide

142 supply line

144 valve device

146 floor area

148 processing chamber

150 bottom wall

152 top wall

154 side wall

156 end wall

158 opening of channel

160 belt inlet

162 with an outlet

164 closing device

166 closure element

168 closure actuator

170 lifting device

172 gate

174 guide device

176 guide device

178 receiver

180 sliding plate

182 carry-in direction

184 horizontal direction

186 discharge conduit

188 built-in element

190 displacement element

192 support element

194 inflow region

196 paired pots

198 Pump arrangement

200 purification device

202 longitudinal orientation

204 turntable

206 end portion

208 transverse pushing device

210 hand-off station

212 dipping bath

214 flipping element

216 collecting funnel

218 collecting container

220 drive unit

222 guide road section

224 coupling device

226 outer side

228 side wall

230 threading opening

232 coupling element

234 pulling element

236 tensioning element

238 sensor device

240 sensor element

242 emitter element

244 coupling rod

g the direction of gravity.

Claims (15)

1. Processing apparatus (100) for processing a workpiece (102), comprising:

a plurality of treatment stations (114) for treating the workpieces (102), in particular for cleaning and/or coating vehicle bodies (104),

wherein each of the processing stations (114) comprises at least one processing container (136) enclosing a processing chamber (148) for receiving the workpiece (102),

wherein each of the process stations (114) itself or a plurality of the process stations (114) collectively comprise a fluid tank (134) for receiving a fluid, and

wherein the processing station (114) comprises a fluid guide (140) by means of which a fluid is guided

a) Directing the fluid from the fluid tank (134) into the respective processing receptacle (136) for flooding one or more of the processing chambers (148); and/or

b) The fluid can be conducted from the respective treatment container (136) into the fluid tank (134) for emptying the treatment chamber (148).

2. The processing apparatus (100) according to claim 1, wherein the processing apparatus (100) comprises a plurality of first processing stations (114) for performing a first processing step and a plurality of second processing stations (114) for performing a second processing step, wherein one or more of the first processing stations (114) and one or more of the second processing stations (114) are or form part, respectively, of a processing unit (106) of the processing apparatus (100) which is traversed by the workpiece (102) for performing the processing step.

3. The processing plant (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that the processing plant (100) comprises a plurality of processing units (106) which respectively comprise one or more first processing stations (114) and one or more second processing stations (114) and which in particular form mutually different processing lines of the processing plant (100),

a) wherein one or more first processing stations (114) of the processing units (106) that are different from one another have a common fluid guide (140) and/or a common fluid tank (134); and/or

b) Wherein one or more second treatment stations (114) of the treatment units (106) that differ from one another have a common fluid guide (140) and/or a common fluid tank (134).

4. The processing apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fluid, in particular a first processing fluid, can be supplied by means of the fluid guide firstly a) to one or more processing stations (114) of a first processing unit (106), in particular to one or more processing chambers (148) of the first processing station (114), and then b) to one or more processing stations (114) of a second processing unit (106), in particular to one or more processing chambers (148) of the first processing station (114).

5. The processing apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the fluid, in particular a second processing fluid, can be supplied by means of the fluid guide (140) firstly a) to one or more processing stations (114) of the first processing unit (106), in particular to one or more processing chambers (148) of the second processing station (114), and then b) to one or more processing stations (114) of the second processing unit (106), in particular to one or more processing chambers (148) of the second processing station (114).

6. The processing apparatus (100) according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the fluid can be supplied alternately to the processing chambers (148) of mutually different processing units (106) by means of the fluid guide (140).

7. The treatment apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the fluid guide (140) is connected with a purification device (200) such that the fluid can be purified, in particular after being taken out of one of the treatment chambers (148) and/or before being supplied again to another of the treatment chambers (148).

8. The processing apparatus (100) according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the total amount of fluid contained in the fluid guide (140) in total is at most about twice, in particular at most about three times, the amount of fluid required for performing a single flooding process in the processing chamber (148).

9. The processing plant (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a plurality of, in particular all, processing stations (114) of the processing unit (106), in particular one or more or all first processing stations (114) and one or more or all second processing stations (114) of the processing unit (106), are arranged on a common plane of the processing plant (100).

10. The processing apparatus (100) according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a plurality of processing units (106) of the processing apparatus (100) are arranged on mutually different planes of the processing apparatus (100).

11. The processing apparatus (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that one or more processing stations (114) of mutually different processing units (106) of the processing apparatus (100) are arranged one above the other in the direction of gravity (g), have a common fluid guide (140) and/or are used for carrying out the same processing step.

12. The processing apparatus (100) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the processing apparatus (100) comprises a plurality of fluid guides (140) for guiding mutually different processing fluids, wherein the fluid guides (140) are assigned to mutually different processing stations (114) for carrying out different processing steps.

13. Method for treating a workpiece (102), in particular for cleaning and/or coating a vehicle body (104), wherein the method comprises:

bringing one or more of the workpieces (102) into one or more processing chambers (148) of one or more processing stations (114);

to perform a treatment fluid flooding of the one or more treatment chambers (148),

wherein by means of a fluid guide (140)

a) Directing the fluid from a fluid tank (134) into the respective process chamber (148) for flooding the one or more process chambers (148); and/or

b) The fluid is conducted from the respective treatment chamber (148) into a fluid tank (134) for emptying the treatment chamber (148).

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the fluids are fed sequentially, in particular completely staggered in time,

a) is taken out of the fluid tank (134) and supplied to the one or more treatment chambers (148), and

b) thereafter, in particular immediately, or at a later time, for example after the fluid has been purified in the purification device (200), is conducted back into the fluid tank (134),

wherein the fluid tank (134) and/or the one or more treatment chambers (148) are thereby preferably alternately filled and emptied.

15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the fluids are fed sequentially, in particular completely staggered in time,

a) is supplied to one or more process chambers (148) of a process station (114) of the first process unit (106), and

b) thereafter, in particular immediately, or at a later point in time, for example after an intermediate storage in an intermediate storage tank, is supplied to one or more treatment chambers (148) of the treatment stations (114) of the second treatment unit (106).

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